Assessment of Housing Need and Supply in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study attempts to identify the effects of urban growth on housing need and supply in emerging settlements like Lokoja metropolis with respect to the identification of the causes of the upsurge in population, the impact of it on the immediate environment, challenges of residence in terms of housing need and demand, and the solution of this housing challenge faced by both indigenes and other settlers in Lokoja. Data collected from the field were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that the population responds positively and significantly to housing demand in the Lokoja metropolis [β = 1.037; t = 7.641; ρ = 0]. 000 (< 0.01 significant level)]. This suggests that as the housing demand increases, the population increases. Income responds positively and significantly to housing need and supply in Lokoja [β = 0.110; t = 2.927; ρ = 0. 007 (< 0.01 significant level)]. This suggests that as housing demand increases, income increases. The study recommends that government at the state level should embark on massive acquisition and construction of low cost housing units to accommodate the rising demand for the housing by the people, the encouragement of private sector participation in housing delivery, the state government should upgrade and in some places carryout urban renewal schemes to reduce the influx of the people to the fringes of Lokoja and the government’s provision of subsidized building materials to encourage land owners to build standard houses to improve on the housing quality in Lokoja metropolis.