Effects of population growth on housing demands in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

One of the fundamental effects of population growth affecting millions of Nigerians is the high demand for housing from which residents of Ijomu and Isolo communities along Oba Adesida road, Akure South are not exempted. This study assesses the effects of population growth on housing demand in Akure South. Two communities chosen randomly are Ijomu and Isolo. There are three hundred and twenty-six (326) buildings in Isolo and five hundred and fifteen (515) in Ijomu respectively making eight hundred and forty-one (841) residential buildings in the two residential neighbourhoods representing the research population. Using a systematic random sampling technique, questionnaires were administered to a householder in the 10th building at the interval in the selected residential area thus, giving a sample size of 33 buildings in Isolo and 52 buildings in Ijomu making eighty-five (85) respondents. Data is analyzed using simple descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages. The study reveals that income, household size, occupation, education, housing finance and family expenses have a significant influence on housing demand and population growth in the study area. The government’s inability to tackle these factors appropriately manner has made many people unable to live in convenient and affordable apartments. Recommendations were suggested for a progressive way in ensuring that housing in the study area is improved such as the introduction of economic revitalization, government intervention in road construction, and provision of public facilities e.g waste collection, disposal system, and potable water, amongst others.

Keywords: Communities, finance, housing, government, population.