ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOUSING AND LIVELIHOOD PATTERN OF URBAN RESIDENTS OF BIDA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assesses the relationship between housing and livelihood pattern of urban residents of Bida South. Cluster Random Sampling method was adopted in selection of wards and households across the entire sample frame in the application of questionnaires. In all, a total of 379 copies of questionnaires were administered for data collection on housing quality and livelihoods of the residents in terms of quality and condition of housing components, basic facilities and livelihood problems encountered by the residents. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was used to analyse the relationship between housing quality and livelihoods. Spatial relationship was also established using Spatial Autocorrelation (Kriging). It was found out that there is a strong relationship between housing quality and livelihood of the residents, Te correlation between the Occupancy Ratio and Livelihood is significant at 0.955; between the Age of Building and Livelihood is 0.975; between the Structural deficiency and Livelihood is 0.987; between Building Coverage and Livelihood is 0.936 and between Condition of Toilet and Livelihood variables is -0.879. The findings show strong spatial relationship between housing quality and livelihood in the spatial auto-correlation analysis. It was concluded that the housing condition in Bida South in terms of adequacy, quality of structures, safety and habitability fail to impact positively on the livelihood of its residents. It was therefore recommended that there is the need to improve the economy, human capital development, generation of employment opportunities and income that are capable of improving housing quality and living standard. The study also recommends the need for local government to grant housing loans for the interested participants at an interest rate lower than that of similar loans from commercial banks in order to develop quality housings.