ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING DEFICITS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN AKURE SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed the impact of housing deficits on residential construction in Akure South Local Government Area, focusing on identifying contributing factors, evaluating the quality of existing housing, and proposing actionable solutions. Design/Methodology/Approach: A survey design was adopted, involving 150 systematically sampled households across five indigenous districts. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and observations, and analysed through descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Research Limitation: This research focused on the housing deficit and its impact on construction in Akure South LGA, Nigeria, with a particular focus on Oda, Isinkan, Isolo, Odopetu, and Irowo. Findings: Research indicates that a significant portion of residents are dissatisfied with the structural quality and durability of their homes, with economic constraints, high cost of land, and population growth emerging as primary drivers of the housing crisis. Additionally, inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity, and poor sanitation further compound the challenges. Practical Implication: Development agencies, state governments, and municipal authorities can use these findings to direct capital expenditure toward infrastructure-deficient areas within Akure South, thereby unlocking latent residential construction activity and attracting private-sector developers who have historically avoided underserved areas due to high overhead costs. Social Implication: The study concludes that addressing the housing deficit in Akure requires multifaceted interventions, including improved urban planning, access to affordable housing finance, and government-private sector collaboration. Originality / Value: This study presents a novel integrated framework that simultaneously enforces regulatory compliance, optimises infrastructure investment, and scales collaborative housing models as a unified strategy to address the dual challenge of housing affordability and sustainability.