Community participation in affordable housing provision in developing cities: A study of Nigerian cities

Studies showed that rapid urbanization creates encumbrance for affordable housing in many developing world cities. Community participation has been proved as a successful platform of infrastructural facilities provision in developing cities but how far regarding affordable housing provision is yet to receive in-depth studies in Nigeria. Therefore, the study investigated the role of community in the provision of affordable housing and proffer possible solutions to enhance home ownership. Five communities in Benin City were engaged as the case study to achieve the study’s objectives via a phenomenology type of qualitative research design. The study combined MAXQDA 2018 with thematic analysis to explain the data. Absence of recognition by government, inadequate infrastructural facilities, housing finance inaccessibility, lax policy to engage community leaders, and high cost of available land emerged as the root cause of factors impeding community participation in housing provision. Findings show that addressing the root cause will determine the success or failure of community within Benin and in other developing cities (with related cultural, economic, and social attributes) to participate in affordable housing provision. As part of this paper’s implications, findings will enhance policymakers and lawmakers in decision-making concerning community-based housing policy toward achieving urban futures for Nigerian cities.