An Evaluation of the Relationship Between Integrated Rural Development Scheme, Livelihood Assets and Housing Condition in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined the relationship among integrated rural development scheme, livelihood assets and housing condition in selected rural areas in Osun state. This is necessitated by the need to look at an alternative ways of financing rural housing through self-help project. It is also inspired by the need for sustainability in better housing condition in the rural communities.The paper carried out a survey of participants of an existing integrated scheme that was established with the objective of improving farmers’ welfare through improved productivity in 28 rural communities under the jurisdiction of Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Centre (JDPMC), Osogbo, Osun state.  Data was obtained from 344 respondents selected through a multi-staged sampling across 28 rural communities in Osun state. The data obtained was analysed with the use of frequency distribution, correlation, regression and chi-square analysis.The results of the study in this paper reveals, among others, that the mode of operation and housing condition has positive relationship and are not independent of each other. Similarly, there is significant relationship between household size (r = 0.327) and housing condition, livelihood assets (r = 0.451) and housing condition at P ≤ 0.01. Based on these findings, integrated scheme has positive relationship with housing condition because the more the livelihood assets through integrated scheme, the better the rural housing condition in Nigeria.The paper therefore suggests consideration of integrated scheme as an effective strategy for rural housing improvement. The study is a pioneering attempt at establishing whether increase in participants’ assets such as physical, financial, natural, human and social capital due to the integrated scheme will lead to significant improvement in housing condition. Keywords: relationship, integrated, rural development scheme, livelihood assets, housing condition, and rural areas. DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-5-06 Publication date: May 31 st 2020