Assessing the Inclusiveness of Housing Conditions in Ogbomoso Township, Nigeria

It is against the background of deficit in housing stock in Nigeria major cities and its associated exclusion in that this study evaluates housing condition in Ogbomoso Township. This is with a view to proffering recommendations that will aid the achievement of sustainable and inclusive housing in the town, and other ones with similar socioeconomic characteristics. Assessed were the socioeconomic characteristics of residents in the study area, characteristics and condition of housing units and impact of the identified condition on residents. The study utilized a multistage sampling approach to sample 150 buildings, and questionnaire administered to an adult resident in each of the sampled building. Data obtained were summarized using tables and percentages while analysis of variance was used to evaluate variation in the condition of housing units across political wards in the study area. The study discovered that 50.7% of the residents are male, and 52.7% are youths. Also, 50.7% of the respondents are single as about 29.3% are students, and 46% of the residents earn below N18, 000 monthly. About 44.7% of the residents have been living in their residences for less than 5 years, 26.7% have used 6-10 years in their residence while about 8% have used 16-20 years in their residences. Thus suggesting frequent change of residences by residents to adjust and readjust to various exclusion tendencies. The predominant housing type in the study area is flat (58.7%), and 69.3% of the housing units were constructed between 1 and 3 years. Meanwhile, 78.7% of the housing units have good roof, 12.0% are leaking and 9.3% are sagging. 48.7% of the housing units were perceived to be substandard, 45.8% were standard building while 5.5% were dilapidated. With F=13.050, p=0.000; there is variation in the condition of housing units across political ward in the town. Urban renewal, granting of loans for housing renovations as well as subsidizing of building materials were therefore recommended. The study concluded that sustainable and inclusive housing can only be achieved with conscious policy and planning intervention.