RESIDENTS’ SATISFACTION ON PUBLIC HOUSING

ABTRACT

This study examined the residents' satisfaction of public housing in Benin City. The study utilized both primary and secondary date; the primary source was a structured questionnaire which was administered to 700 the households across the three (3) estates covered in Benin City, while the secondary data was gotten from books, journals and articles, while. Data gathered was analysed using descriptive statistics, qualitative analytical techniques. Frequency and percentage method of analysis was used to analyze the demographic characteristics of the respondent, and the statistical methods will be used to analyze each objective of my study. In addition, the Kruskal Wallis test, mean item score and the Relative satisfaction index was used in analyzing the study’s objectives. The study revealed that majority of the residents of the sampled public housing estates within Benin City, Nigeria, were absolutely dissatisfied with the provision of space allocation; quality of services and public facilities within selected housing units and area, as well as the physical, social/behavioural, public facilities/functional and timing components of quality public housing. Findings also revealed that poor unit spacing and related issues; poor structural design and maintenance policy; absence of quality water and fire service station; unstable power supply and poor parking lot; insecurity and high crime rate; and poor drainage and sewage systems are major problems affecting residents’ satisfaction of public housing in Benin City, Nigeria.  However, findings emphasized the need on the part of government to do more in provision of quality housing to achieve the primary and overall aim of providing quality shelter at affordable cost. Furthermore, this study concludes that mere provision of housing does not indicate or guarantee success of housing development and sustainability, but meeting the actual housing needs and preferences of the residents’ satisfactions with lower cost and standardized structural quality will determine and assure government and other stakeholders of adequate, affordable and sustainable shelter for all citizens.