1.1 Introduction
Housing is recognized in the world wide as one of the basic necessities of life. Although most Nigerians can no longer afford this basic necessity of life, many housing policies and programmes have always been ineffective, if not partial, in response to the country's economic hardships. Every normal adult is expected to own a home for themselves and their families. It is within this framework that the research has chosen to conduct a poll regarding the role of the government in resolving the housing crisis.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Housing is seen as one of the most important for the physical survival of man after the provision of food. It supports social stability, productivity, and personal growth while also enhancing a country's physical and moral core. Despite this, it is undeniable that, aside from the typical slums and living circumstances, one of the main issues facing Nigerian urbanities and governments is housing, both in terms of quantity and accessibility. It is also getting harder and harder for the average Nigerian to hold a home. Finding acceptable housing in the market at a fair rent is also very challenging.
The rent is high in every state and somewhat high in the capital cities of the other states, but it is still out of proportion to the monthly income of all wage earners; low, middle, and high as well as independent contractors. The main reason for high rent is that there is not nearly as much housing supply as there is demand for. The suggested rent of twenty percent of the monthly income. The issues are particularly severe in towns and cities with long-standing commercial and industrial operations, as well as in densely populated, rapidly expanding metropolis. To find houses to rent is a big problem and if such houses are eventually found, they are let out at very exorbitant prices that take a large percentage or the monthly income of the acceptant not minding the location and the accessibility of the residence to the place of work.
It was become increasingly difficult, until recently, for self-employed people and average wage earners to construct their own homes within a reasonable time frame using their own funds. In Nigeria, the majority of civil personnel between 1978 and 1988 scarcely saved enough money to buy a home of their own. In addition, the cost of workers, building materials, land, and professional fees is very high. These factors have combined to make building costs per square metre significantly more than what an individual could afford after meeting their basic needs for food and other necessities of life. People are hiring at extremely high rates because there are more consumers of housing goods than there are available supply of such goods and services, which is partly caused by the fact that individuals cannot afford to build their own homes due to the steep construction costs. Due to the housing crisis, which is primarily concentrated in urban areas, many people have turned to making shift shelters under bridges, and other structures in addition to causing overcrowding in some cities (as in the case of Lagos). Sadly, the most of the old residential buildings lack amenities like electricity supplies, open areas, water closets (WCs), and pipe-borne water systems, making them unsuitable for modern needs.
The Nigerian federal government included housing for all income levels in the country's third development plan (1975–1980) in an effort to alleviate the severe shortage, which was primarily affecting low-income and self-employed individuals who were paying over 20% of their monthly income on rent. As a result, the federal and state governments have started to provide estates in an effort to enhance the supply of housing available to the urban population. In light of this, the study attempts to investigate how these housing estates affect the supply of residential housing.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of the Provision of Housing Estate on Residential Housing Delivery.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that Governments around the world, particularly those in developing nations, start building housing estates for their citizens. This is typically done to counter the notion that the private sector of the economy provides the majority of housing. Despite being created by law and status, these estates have management issues that lead to financial, legal, physical, social, political, and other issues.
As a result, public housing estate management has recently posed hydra-headed issues. The state of the environment, decaying structures, and inadequate shelter are all symptoms of these issues, which are caused by inadequate management and upkeep.
The main source of housing issues in Nigeria today is undoubtedly the low-income groups that make up the majority of both urban and rural populations. Taking into account all of the previously mentioned factors, one can view housing issues as the driving force behind the creation of housing programmes by the federal government, state governments, and all other state government and housing corporations. This is so that there is greater space for production in well-built residential areas.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to analyze the Effect of the Provision of Housing Estate on Residential Housing Delivery using Imo State Housing Corporation as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the quantity (number) of houses provided through the Imo Housing Corporation in the study area;
- To identify the effect of these housing estates on the residential housing provision;
- To identify problems and constraints of the Imo Housing Corporation in the provision and management of these housing Estates;
- To identify the various housing estates in the study area; and
- To recommend ways of ameliorating the problems of Imo Housing Corporation with a view of providing more housing estates in the urban area.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the quantity (number) of houses provided through the Imo Housing Corporation in the study area?
- What is the effect of housing Estate on residential housing provision?
- What are the problems and constraints of the Imo Housing Corporation in the provision and management of these housing Estates?
- What are the various housing estates in the study area?
- What are the ways of ameliorating the problems of Imo Housing Corporation with a view of providing more housing estates in the urban area?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant effect of housing estates on residential housing provision in Imo State Housing Corporation
- H1: There is significant effect of housing estates on residential housing provision in Imo State Housing Corporation
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no significant challenges encountered by the Imo State Housing Co-operation in the provision and management of these housing estates
- H1: There is significant challenges encountered by the Imo State Housing Co-operation in the provision and management of these housing estates
1.7 Significance of Study
It has long been maintained that the distribution of ownership of residential property, particularly among working-class people, has strengthened support for private property ownership generally and aesthesis housing as a component of social structure that depends on capitalism private enterprise. Its relevance or importance is therefore immediately apparent given the fact that everyone needs a place to live.
Beyond national or political boundaries, residential housing is vital for maintaining personal productivity and well-being. Any country's population who live in excellent housing will be industrious, enjoy good health, and help their country's economy thrive.
The relevance of residential housing to man which is truly the theme of this discussion can be completely understood if we consider the social significance of housing to man and its function in the economic growth of a community or person.
Furthermore, researchers will greatly benefit from this study, and non-researchers might utilize it to further their own research endeavours. This work advances knowledge and may function as a model for future research.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on Analyzing the Effect of the Provision of Housing Estate on Residential Housing Delivery using Imo State Housing Corporation in Nigeria as a reference point. However this work is not concerned with provision and development of Housing Estates.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this research work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Housing:
Housing is the total unit of shelter and it’s environmental which gives man better quality of life. The term environment in this regard comprises of three groups and this includes natural aspect of environment includes air, water, vegetable and everything natural endowed to man.
Government:
It is broadly defined as the administrative group people with authority to govern a political state. Government is the means by which store policy is enforced, as well as the mechanism for determining the policy of the state.
1.11 Plan of the Study Area
The research work is organized into five (5) chapters. The first chapter focuses on the background to the study, the research problem, aim and objectives of the study, the scope of the study, significance of the study, research question, and research hypotheses to be tested in the study.
The second dwells on the literature review. While the third chapter entails the research methodology, data requirement/sources, data collection techniques. Chapter four deals with data presentation and analysis, in chapter five summaries of findings, conclusion and recommendations are discussed.
