CITIZENS' PERCEPTION ON PUBLIC HOUSING DELIVERY IN UYO METROPOLIS, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates how residents perceive public housing delivery in Uyo Metropolis, capital of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Given housing's central role in welfare, public health, and socio-economic development, the research responds to Nigeria's persistent gap between housing demand and government delivery. Uyo's growth as a state capital with its concentration of institutions and infrastructure has intensified pressure on housing stock, driving up costs, overcrowding, and outward urban expansion. Using a quantitative design, the researchers surveyed residents across five estates: Ewet Housing, Osongama, Shelter Afrique, Federal Housing and Akwaima. Through simple random sampling, 218 valid questionnaires were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Results showed an overall moderate perception of housing delivery (mean score 3.33/5). Residents rated security, location, and construction quality favorably, but gave lower marks to delivery timeliness, allocation transparency/fairness, and affordability. Regression analysis identified infrastructure and services, housing quality, and estate management as the strongest predictors of perception, together accounting for roughly 61% of the variance observed. Based on these findings, the study recommends four key improvements: strengthening infrastructure, ensuring transparent allocation processes, enhancing estate management practices, and prioritizing housing affordability to better meet residents' needs.