URBAN RESIDENTIAL HOUSING AND LOW-INCOME EARNERS: A STUDY OF MAKURDI METROPOLIS, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper assessed urban residential housing and low-income earners in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. The paper adopts survey research design to determine the challenges confronting low income earners in urban residential housing areas in Markurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. The paper utilized both primary and secondary data sources. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The paper found that 57.8% of the respondents earn less than N10,000.00 (US$62.50) a month which made it difficult for them to afford decent houses. The paper concluded that good urban government is necessary to promote increased access to land, credit and affordable housing that is environmentally friendly and conducive for the low income earners. The paper recommended that there should be a carefully planned land for low income housing in Makurdi which should be allocated to the target group of low income earners.