Challenges and Prospects of Urban Residential Housing in ABA Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria

The study investigated the challenges and prospects of urban residential housing in Aba metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria. A primary investigation involving data collection through questionnaire survey was employed by administering a total of 400 copies to residents in ten selected areas belonging to high standard, medium standard and low standard residential areas in Aba North and Aba South Local Government Areas of Abia State. The characteristics of the respondents for the study involved both indigenes and migrants who are occupants in selected sampled areas in Aba metropolis. More of the research questionnaire was administered in Aba South (79%) than Aba North (21%). Thus, a total of 318 copies of questionnaire were administered in Aba South against 82 copies of the questionnaire administered in Aba North due to population size differences. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for data presentation and analysis. Findings of the study revealed that majority of sampled respondents (23.8%) in the low standard residential area earn low forcing them to embrace cheaper housing which they can afford because of the cost of house/land in other parts of the metropolis. The factors creating housing problems in the study area were: economy (77.2%); population increase (78.2%); land tenure (74.8%); the cost of land (74.3%); shortage of housing (77.5%) and weak housing policies (86.9%). Respondents attested to the fact that the quality of housing is poor in the study area because planned, healthy and livable environments supporting basic human needs (79.8%) amongst others are not adequate in the study area. The correlation between income and house ownership was significant (r=0.250, p=0.05); while factors that determine rent differ significantly in the study area. The study recommended that urban renewal strategy should be encouraged in Aba South through the provision of adequate infrastructural development to achieve social integration and addressing the problem of unemployment and poverty. Finally, the government should ensure they review residential housing policies directed at promoting affordability and solving the problems of the housing deficit in the study area.