Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences: Home

Article Title:
Impact of Poor Housing Condition on the Economy of the Urban Poor: Makoko, Lagos State in View
by Y. L. Gambo, O. B. Idowu and I. M. Anyakora

Abstract:
A neighbourhood lacking descent environment in qualitative terms is paying a hidden cost. The study examined the housing quality of Makoko characterized as slum and its influence on the economy of the poor. Structured questionnaires were analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics. The findings revealed a complex relationship between housing quality and quality of education; cost incurred on health facilities and level of income. These combined related variables impede with the economic enterprise of the urban poor. Poor housing condition was found to be an index of poverty leading to high rate of social delinquency, poor quality education, low economic productivity, negative peer influence on adolescents, ill health condition, retardant enterprising skills and hinders socioeconomic opportunities. It recommended that government should embark on slum upgrading as housing sector is often a parameter for measuring the health or ill health of a nation?s economy. It was recommended that Government should make policy aimed at defining environmental and housing quality and provide supervisory agency responsible for monitoring standard and should sincerely embark on slum upgrading and provide physical infrastructure.

Keywords: housing, housing quality, economy, Makoko.

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