Residential Housing Satisfaction in Public Housing Estates in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined the satisfaction level of residents in public housing estates in Calabar, Cross River State Nigeria. The variables for establishing the satisfaction level were broadly categorized into three (3); housing location, physical facilities and environmental factors. However, five (5) public residential estates were selected for data collection. Data were elicited using 100 copies of questionnaire. Questionnaire were given to household heads and all were returned and used for analysis. Analysis were carried out using frequencies and relative satisfaction index (RSI). With RSI, the satisfaction level of the residents with the housing area was determined. Furthermore, a five point likert scale was adopted in collecting data from residents within the housing area. Findings revealed that the residents of public housing estates were not completely satisfied with the housing environments. For instance, it was shown that the residents were fairly satisfied with the housing location. Similar results were obtained on both the environmental and physical facilities. Variables such as proximity to service, waste disposal/management, water supply among others were observed to influence the level of satisfaction of residents with the housing area. It was also observed that facilities and amenities were drastically deteriorating within public residential estates and the aesthetic quality of the housing environment is facing serious distortion. Based on these observations, it was suggested that facilities and amenities that go along to making housing environments habitable and conducive be provided and deteriorating facilities be upgraded. There should also be regular renewal of the housing environments in public estates to avoid deterioration and dilapidation of structures within the housing environment.

Keywords: Housing environment, housing location, level of satisfaction, physical facilities, residential housing.