Evaluating Public Housing Performance: Providing a Basis for Residential Quality Improvement in Nigeria

Abstract

The failure of many public and private housing projects in Nigeria has been attributed to the non- consideration of relevant parameters in qualitative housing improvement. Also, available policy options for residential development-particularly those relating to government built housing, lack users' inputs on relevant criteria for evaluating the performance of such housing programs. By considering existing public housing in Lagos, this study examines housing performance in other to provide a rational for residential quality improvement in Nigeria. The study employed a survey of 1,022 households selected from four (representing 10%), of the existing forty public housing estates in Lagos. Residential quality was determined using twenty variables rated and ranked based on their calculated weight values (TWV). The results show that the performance of public housing was significantly determined by the quality of the dwelling units as well as the quality and adequacy of basic facilities like water, roads, drainages and electricity. Other relevant determinants of housing performance identified include; adequacy of natural ventilation and lighting, noise level within neighbourhood, privacy level, adequacy of space and neighbourhood quality among several others. The results further show some inter-relationships among the pairs of variables evaluated for this study; thus suggesting that these variables are basic determinants of housing quality and therefore relevant in assessing residential performance. The understanding of the nature of these variables is thus a necessary prerequisite for developing an effective housing programme for the people. The study underscores the need to consider relevant parameters emanating from the users for housing improvement and development in Nigeria.

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