Examining the constraints in the provision of affordable housing in national housing and Construction Company limited

Abstract

This study examined the constraints in the provision of affordable housing in National Housing and Construction Company Limited. The study was guided by three objectives which included examining what affordable housing is; the constraints in the provision of affordable housing in National Housing and Construction Company Limited and proposing alternative solutions and remedies in the provision of affordable housing in National Housing and Construction Company Limited. The study used cross-sectional survey design and considered both qualitative and quantitative approaches with a sample size of 147 respondents but 134 respondents managed to respond back. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide. The study revealed that affordable housing referred to the sum of money that homebuyers would be able to pay to purchase or construct a home/house at any given time, ability acquire a house risk-free, houses or housing units that are within the means of people of various income levels to pay, housing unit's price corresponding with the buyer's willingness to pay, housing where one spends less than 30% of their income only, housing corresponding with general growth in family earnings, housing that is physically adequate and made available to all levels of people in the society. It was revealed that the major constraints in the provision of affordable housing in National Housing and Construction Company Limited were high costs, low uptake of alternative technology, high taxes, land costs, limited access to financing, inadequate income by clients, poor government policies on housing, inefficient and bureaucratic decision-making. On the issue of alternative solutions and remedies in the provision of affordable housing, it was revealed that there is need to employ cost effective improved and alternative technology, reduction on government taxes and charges, flexible payment schedules, putting in place more public private partnerships, providing innovative ways of assistance and incentives, encouraging more innovation and creativity within the organization’s staff and professionals, adopting designs and project management technique, government strengthening NHCC’s mandate and making the organization the primary vehicle for delivery of housing products and services to the lower communities and compete favorably with the private sector and enabling financial and housing institutions to get low-cost financing through decreased interest rates.