Challenges of Urban Housing Quality: Insights and Experiences of Akure, Nigeria

This research was conducted in order to evaluate the housing infrastructure and quality in Akure, capital city of Ondo state, Nigeria. It tries to identify the problems that have aided the degradation of basic housing infrastructures, substandard housing, overcrowding and the likelihood of future incidences of disease and epidemics. In order to achieve the above; the city was divided into high, medium and low – density zones. The study also made use of the existing demographic and land use characteristics of the city and both primary and secondary data were used for the data collection. From the methodology, there were questionnaire administration, collection and updating of the base maps, observation checklists and the use of necessary field instrument for the study. Penalty scoring was used to assess the conditions and quality of houses. A total number of 180 houses were selected for the study. Secondary data involved information from existing literatures, books and journals. The study reveals that Houses in the high – density area have the worst property and environmental characteristics followed by houses in the medium – density area. Based on housing condition alone, approximately half of all the dwellings surveyed (54.44%) in the three zones are categorized as either sub – standard or unfit for human habitation. More than half of the houses surveyed have at least one or more major defects. Many of the houses are overcrowded with perhaps up to eight persons per room and the rooms are subjected to tenant's abuse by internal conversion to increase the occupancy rate. Also, many of the residents in the high density area are polygamists. The study further suggested a regeneration by private investors with possible displacement of residents from the high – density zone to new towns; a vigorous programme of housing and health education; enhanced collaboration between stakeholders to develop enforceable standards for existing housing stock is necessary; while the government is also expected to improve the existing infrastructures.