Rising Rents Push Asaba Residents Deeper Into Housing Hardship

Residents of Asaba, Delta State, are facing increasing difficulty securing and retaining decent accommodation as rising rents, inflation, stagnant incomes and the wider cost-of-living crisis put greater pressure on household finances.

Asaba has continued to expand, with new roads, businesses and construction projects changing the city’s landscape. The state capital has also attracted people seeking employment, education, trade and better economic opportunities.

But behind the growth, many residents are struggling to keep up with the cost of housing.

For some households, finding accommodation has moved beyond a normal financial responsibility and become an annual struggle involving difficult choices between rent, food, transportation, school fees, electricity and healthcare.

A 2025 report on the State of Lagos Housing Market cited in the report indicated that rent could consume between 50 and 70 per cent of household income in some cases, reflecting the growing affordability challenge facing Nigerian households.

Residents also face additional costs from estate agents, legal fees and other charges, meaning the amount required to secure a property can be significantly higher than the advertised rent.

In parts of Asaba, a one-bedroom apartment can cost between N700,000 and N1m annually, while larger apartments command higher rents.

For workers whose earnings have not increased at the same rate as inflation, the cost of accommodation can consume a substantial portion of their income.

Workers struggle to keep up with rent increases

Ella, a civil servant living in Ugbolu, said she previously paid N400,000 annually for a three-bedroom apartment but now pays N700,000.

Her salary, however, has not increased by a similar margin, leaving less money available for savings and other family needs.

For Okafor Ikechukwu, a commercial tricycle operator and family breadwinner, the situation has become even more difficult.

His annual rent increased from N150,000 to N360,000, while his income did not rise accordingly. On some days, he said, he works for several hours without getting enough passengers.

Much of his earnings goes towards feeding his family, leaving little available for rent savings.

He said that while he was previously able to pay his rent once a year, he now sometimes has to make payments in instalments because raising the full amount at once is difficult.

Artisans are also feeling the pressure.

Paul Edward, a professional plumber who has worked in Asaba for more than 20 years and chairs the Plumbers Association, said his annual rent had increased from N145,000 to N450,000.

He said that after paying school fees, feeding his family and meeting other household expenses, saving enough money for rent had become increasingly difficult.

According to Edward, some artisans have resorted to living in unfinished buildings because they can no longer afford decent accommodation.

Owen Marvellous, a married commercial tricycle operator and father, said his housing needs changed after he started a family.

He explained that living in a single room was more manageable before marriage, but having a wife and children meant he needed a larger apartment.

The cost of moving into a bigger home, however, has become increasingly difficult to bear.

He said one-bedroom apartments can cost between N700,000 and N1m annually in some parts of Asaba, while agency and other charges add further pressure to prospective tenants.

Single mothers face additional housing pressure

For Doris, a single mother with one child, the housing challenge goes beyond rent.

She lives in a one-room apartment affected by poor drainage and flooding, making living conditions difficult.

Her concerns increased when her landlord threatened to remove the roof of the building during the rainy season.

Doris said she was terrified by the possibility of being left without a roof over her head.

She also faced the prospect of receiving a quit notice and, at one point, had to borrow money to raise enough funds to remain in her accommodation.

For a single-income household, the loss of accommodation could create wider consequences for the stability and security of the family.

Commercial rents squeeze businesses

The pressure is not limited to residential accommodation. Business owners are also dealing with increasing commercial rents.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel, who has been in the plumbing materials business for 15 years, said shops in Asaba now cost between N1m and N1.5m annually, depending on location and other factors.

He explained that when commercial rent is combined with residential accommodation, transportation, electricity, staff salaries and other operating costs, business owners can end up spending most of their earnings simply to remain in operation.

According to him, some entrepreneurs are now using money that would otherwise have gone into expanding their businesses to cover operating expenses.

Others, he said, have been forced to shut down after years of trading because the cost of maintaining their businesses became unsustainable.

Precious, a fashion designer in Okpanam, said rising shop costs had also affected her business.

She said that when a customer brings work worth N10,000, she may accept the amount without negotiating because she needs the money to meet her growing expenses.

“Rent keeps increasing, but my income has not increased at the same pace,” she said.

Housing demand outpaces supply

Estate agents in Asaba said the rental market had changed considerably in recent years.

Anthony, an estate agent with 12 years of experience in the city, said the market began changing significantly around 2023 as Asaba’s population grew and infrastructure improved.

According to him, demand for accommodation increased while the supply of available homes did not grow at the same pace.

Another estate agent, Gozie, attributed part of the increase in rents to higher construction costs.

He said the cost of building materials, labour, transportation and other development expenses had increased, with developers passing some of the additional costs on to tenants through higher rents.

Okolie Alexander, a building materials dealer, also said construction commodities had become more expensive.

He attributed the increases to fuel costs, transportation expenses, government policies and international economic conditions.

Economist links rent crisis to supply gap

Prof Anthony Monye-Emina, Head of the Department of Economics at Dennis Osadebay University, identified the imbalance between housing demand and supply as a major factor behind the rising rents.

He said Asaba was attracting more residents but affordable housing was not being developed quickly enough to meet the growing demand.

According to him, inflation has worsened the situation because the prices of goods and services continue to rise while wages do not automatically increase at the same pace.

As a result, households are forced to devote a larger share of their earnings to basic needs, leaving less money for savings, investments and emergencies.

Solomon Eyikwe, Chairman of the Asaba Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, said Nigeria’s largely market-driven housing system gives private property owners significant control over rental prices.

He also pointed to exchange-rate fluctuations and inflation as factors that have increased the cost of imported building materials and property development.

Samuel Ekiyor, a married resident and father, expressed concern that continued increases in rent could eventually make it difficult for many workers to afford to live in Asaba.

Developing rural areas could ease pressure on cities

Monye-Emina said part of the response to rising urban housing demand should involve developing rural communities.

He argued that better roads, healthcare, schools and economic opportunities in rural areas could reduce the pressure driving people into cities such as Asaba.

According to him, reducing the need for people to move into urban centres could help moderate pressure on available housing.

The housing situation has broader consequences because accommodation costs affect household welfare, business operations and residents’ ability to save or invest.

The experiences of civil servants, artisans, commercial tricycle operators, traders, business owners and single parents in Asaba show how rising housing costs are affecting different categories of residents.

For many of them, the demand is not for luxury accommodation but for a decent home that can be sustained alongside other basic household expenses.

As rents continue to rise, residents are increasingly being forced to reduce spending, postpone plans, use instalment payments, borrow money or consider cheaper accommodation options.

The situation has also raised concerns about the ability of workers and small businesses to remain in the city as accommodation and operating costs continue to increase.

For many residents, a home that should provide security and stability is increasingly becoming another source of financial uncertainty.

The post Rising Rents Push Asaba Residents Deeper Into Housing Hardship appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory have called on the FCT Administration to establish a dedicated housing scheme for educators, saying the high cost of accommodation in Abuja is putting increasing pressure on their welfare and morale.

The appeal was made by the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), FCT Chapter, during the joint national celebration of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day in Abuja.

The FCT chairman of ASUSS, Julius Ogundiran, said the housing challenge had become a major concern for teachers despite the prompt payment of salaries by the FCT Administration.

He said some teachers were being forced to travel long distances from neighbouring states to their workplaces because they could not afford accommodation within the Federal Capital Territory. Others, he said, had resorted to sleeping in school classrooms.

“Most of our colleagues, even in Garki here, are coming from Suleja or Abaji, and some are even sleeping in classrooms because they can’t afford houses in town,” Ogundiran said.

He urged the FCT Administration to either construct dedicated housing estates for teachers or make subsidised land available to them across the six area councils.

According to Ogundiran, providing housing support would improve teachers’ welfare and help them perform their responsibilities more effectively.

He said teachers were not politicians and did not have alternative sources of revenue, stressing that government intervention was necessary to address the accommodation burden.

“If they can provide housing estates for teachers, we will be more motivated and well-equipped to perform our duties,” he said.

High accommodation costs affect teachers

Ogundiran acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the FCT Administration in the education sector and specifically noted that teachers’ salaries were being paid promptly.

However, he said the shortage and high cost of housing remained a significant impediment to teacher welfare.

The union’s position was that housing support should form part of wider measures to improve the working conditions of teachers in the territory.

The appeal comes as housing affordability remains a major challenge for workers in Abuja, where accommodation costs have continued to place pressure on household incomes.

For teachers living outside the FCT, the cost of commuting also adds to the financial burden associated with working in the capital.

Ogundiran linked better teacher welfare with improved educational outcomes, arguing that teachers who have adequate living conditions would be better positioned to carry out their responsibilities.

“If the government stands with the teachers, the teachers will be strong. If the teachers are strong, education will be strong. If education is strong, the nation will be strong,” he said.

He also referred to the common expression that the reward of teachers is in heaven, saying teachers should be able to enjoy better conditions during their working years.

Teacher raises concerns over welfare

Also speaking at the event, Grace Philip, a teacher at Junior Secondary School, Tungan Maje, expressed concern over what she described as the marginalisation of teachers.

“In everything they are doing in this country, teachers always come last,” she said.

Philip also raised concerns over delays in the promotion of FCT teachers and called on the authorities to pay greater attention to the challenges facing educators working at the grassroots.

The concerns raised by the teachers extend beyond accommodation to other aspects of employment and professional welfare.

FG reaffirms commitment to teachers

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare, professional development and funding for education.

Bagudu, who was represented by an official of the ministry, Mrs Kikelomo Ogundele, described investment in teachers as an important investment in Nigeria’s future.

He said no structural or policy reform in the education sector could succeed without well-trained, motivated and adequately supported teachers.

According to him, teachers play a central role in developing human capital and preparing young Nigerians to contribute to the country’s development.

“They do far more than transmit knowledge; they shape characters, nurture talents, inspire ambition, and prepare young people to contribute meaningfully to society,” Bagudu said.

The chairman of the occasion, Oluwaseun Falaye, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, also called on leaders in educational institutions and workplaces to promote ethical conduct, transparency and accountability.

Falaye, who was represented by the Executive Director, Administration, Samaila Abdul, said teachers’ contribution to nation-building went beyond classroom instruction.

He said effective leadership required integrity, accountability, fairness, responsibility and discipline.

The event therefore highlighted housing and broader welfare concerns affecting teachers, with ASUSS urging the FCT Administration to consider dedicated housing estates or subsidised land as part of efforts to improve teachers’ living and working conditions.

The post Housing Crisis: FCT Teachers Seek Government Intervention on Accommodation appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Spain is facing mounting social and political pressure over its housing crisis after tens of thousands of people took to the streets across the country following parliament’s rejection of government measures aimed at easing pressure on tenants and protecting vulnerable households.

The protests came after Spain’s Congress rejected two housing decrees introduced by the Socialist-led coalition government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

The measures were designed to address rising rents and eviction pressures and followed the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, from the Madrid home where she had lived for about seven decades.

The case became a major focus of public anger and helped trigger a wave of housing protests across Spain.

Tens of thousands join housing protests

Large demonstrations were held in Madrid and other Spanish cities as protesters demanded stronger action on housing affordability.

According to the Spanish government, about 70,000 people took part in Saturday’s demonstration in Madrid, while protests were reported in around 50 cities.

Demonstrations were largely peaceful in several locations, although clashes occurred between protesters and police in Madrid and Valencia.

Police used rubber bullets and tear gas during unrest in parts of the two cities, while authorities also reported arrests connected to disturbances around the demonstrations.

In Madrid, protesters gathered around Puerta del Sol, where housing activists had established a protest camp.

Some demonstrators carried messages calling for a general strike as the housing dispute increasingly became linked to wider concerns about living costs and government policy.

Parliament rejects housing measures

The protests intensified after Spain’s parliament rejected the government’s housing decrees.

The government had approved the measures on September 29 in response to growing concerns about access to housing and the fallout from Abascal’s eviction.

Among the measures was protection against the eviction of vulnerable tenants and changes designed to limit sharp increases in rental costs.

The government had also proposed measures covering temporary rentals and rental contracts by room.

The measures required parliamentary approval because of their status as government decrees.

However, the government failed to secure sufficient support in the fragmented parliament.

The rejection meant that the proposed protections did not take effect as planned, adding to frustration among tenant groups and housing campaigners.

Eviction case becomes symbol of housing crisis

The case involving Abascal became a symbol of Spain’s wider housing difficulties.

The 87-year-old had lived in her Madrid apartment for around 70 years under a rent-controlled arrangement.

Her eviction on September 23 attracted national attention and was followed by protests demanding that she be allowed to return home.

The controversy contributed to the government’s decision to accelerate housing measures intended to prevent similar situations involving vulnerable tenants.

An agreement was subsequently reached allowing Abascal to return to her home under the same rent arrangement.

However, the wider housing concerns remained unresolved, with tenant organisations arguing that the government’s proposals did not go far enough to address affordability and the shortage of accessible rental housing.

Rental costs remain a major concern

Spain’s housing problems extend beyond individual eviction cases.

Rental costs have increased substantially in many parts of the country over the past decade, while the supply of affordable housing has struggled to keep pace with demand.

The pressure is particularly visible in major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, where demand for rental accommodation remains high.

Housing campaigners have also raised concerns about the impact of tourist accommodation, property investment and limited public housing supply on the availability and affordability of homes.

The result has been increasing pressure on households whose incomes have not kept pace with housing costs.

Political pressure increases

The defeat of the housing measures has also created additional political pressure for Sánchez’s minority government.

The vote exposed the difficulty of securing parliamentary support for major housing legislation in a fragmented political environment.

Junts per Catalunya, which has previously supported Sánchez’s government, voted against the measures, alongside opposition parties including the conservative People’s Party and Vox.

Following the vote, opposition parties called for political changes, while reports of a possible early general election began circulating.

Sánchez’s office has not officially confirmed plans for an early election, and the political situation remains subject to further developments.

The housing issue has therefore become intertwined with broader questions about the government’s ability to pass legislation and maintain parliamentary support.

Calls for wider mobilisation

Tenant organisations have continued to call for demonstrations following the parliamentary defeat.

Spain’s major trade unions, Comisiones Obreras and UGT, also called for mobilisation after Congress rejected the housing decrees.

The unions said the cost of housing was contributing to inequality and reducing the purchasing power of workers, while acknowledging that the rejected measures alone would not have solved the broader housing crisis.

Housing campaigners have called for stronger tenant protections, more affordable rental housing and policies capable of addressing the underlying shortage of homes.

The protests have also brought together tenant groups, neighbourhood organisations and other social movements demanding a broader response to housing affordability.

Housing remains a major policy challenge

Spain’s latest housing dispute highlights the difficulty governments face in balancing tenant protection, housing supply, property ownership and investment interests.

The Spanish government has argued that urgent intervention is needed to protect access to housing, while opponents of some of its proposed measures have raised concerns about their possible impact on the rental market.

For now, the rejection of the housing decrees has left the government under pressure from both housing campaigners and political opponents.

With demonstrations continuing in cities across Spain, housing affordability, rents and eviction protections are expected to remain major issues in the country’s political debate.

The post Spain’s Housing Crisis Fuels Nationwide Protests, Political Pressure appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Rising house rents in the Federal Capital Territory are putting increasing pressure on household incomes, with some residents now spending a substantial portion of their annual earnings on accommodation and cutting back on food, education, transportation and other essential expenses.

A News Agency of Nigeria study cited by The Whistler found that the rising cost of accommodation has forced many Abuja households to reduce their standard of living as rent increases continue to outpace incomes.

The report comes as the National Bureau of Statistics recorded a sharp increase in rent inflation, with the rate rising to 33.8 per cent in July 2026 from 14.79 per cent in June.

Residents interviewed across different parts of the FCT described significant increases in annual rents, with some saying the increases had affected their businesses, savings and ability to meet other household obligations.

Abuja residents face steep rent increases

Olusegun Daniels, a businessman living in Karu, said the annual rent for his two-bedroom bungalow increased from N1.5 million to N3.5 million.

He said the more than 100 per cent increase had affected his business, which was already experiencing weak turnover.

Daniels also said the rent for his business premises had risen from N300,000 to N450,000, adding to the financial pressure on his household and business.

Another resident, Emeka Okafor, who lives in Wuse, said the rent for his one-bedroom apartment increased from N1 million to N1.8 million before rising further to N2 million.

Although the higher rent had become difficult to afford, Okafor said he had continued living in the area because of its proximity to his business.

He said the combination of weak business activity and rising rents had left him and others struggling to keep up with their financial obligations.

Families cut back on household needs

Evelyn Bode, a civil servant living in Kubwa, said a two-bedroom apartment that previously rented for between N600,000 and N800,000 was now going for between N1.5 million and N2 million a year, depending on the location and condition of the building.

The rising rent has forced her family to make changes to its household spending.

Bode said she had moved her children to cheaper schools and reduced spending on food as the cost of maintaining the household became increasingly difficult.

She said the pressure had reached a point where meeting basic needs had become a challenge.

Another civil servant, Livinus Anya, who lives in Nyanya, said his annual rent increased from N600,000 in February 2025 to N1.6 million in December 2025.

Anya said he previously made monthly contributions and savings to raise money for his annual rent, but the new rent was beyond what his savings could comfortably cover.

He said the pressure had also affected his ability to use his vehicle because he could no longer afford to combine fuel costs with rent, school fees and feeding expenses.

According to him, a two-bedroom apartment in a new building in the area now rents for between N2 million and N2.5 million annually.

Two-year rent demands add to pressure

Sani Musa, a teacher living in Lugbe, said the demand for two years’ rent upfront by some landlords was making it increasingly difficult for low-income earners to secure accommodation.

Musa linked the increase in rents to several factors, including the housing deficit, rural-to-urban migration and the rising cost of building materials.

He called for government intervention and regulations to address sharp increases in rent and prevent what he described as unreasonable hikes by landlords.

He also argued that any regulation introduced to address the problem would need to be properly enforced.

Workers struggle to keep pace with housing costs

Abigail Abidolu, a civil servant living in Apo Resettlement, said her one-bedroom apartment had increased from N500,000 to N1.2 million.

She said the increase in rent had come at a time when salaries had not increased substantially.

According to her, some additional income opportunities and training-related benefits previously available at her workplace had also been cancelled, further reducing her family’s financial flexibility.

The experiences of the residents interviewed reflect the broader challenge created when housing costs rise faster than household incomes.

For many workers, annual rent payments are not the only housing-related expenses. Agency fees, legal charges, service charges and other costs can increase the amount required before a tenant can move into a property.

Housing affordability remains a major challenge

The rising rents are occurring alongside broader pressures on household budgets.

Residents are also dealing with higher costs for food, transportation, healthcare, education and other necessities, leaving less disposable income for housing.

The NBS rent-inflation figure cited in the report highlights the scale of the pressure facing tenants across the country, while the individual experiences in Abuja show how the increase is affecting households at different income levels.

The continued increase in rent also raises concerns about housing affordability in the FCT, particularly for low- and middle-income workers who depend largely on fixed salaries.

As rents rise, households may be forced to move farther away from employment centres, reduce the quality or size of their accommodation, share housing with others or divert money meant for other household needs towards rent.

Calls for affordable housing and rent regulation

Residents interviewed in the study called for stronger government intervention to expand access to affordable housing and address rising rental costs.

Anya urged governments at different levels to provide low-cost housing for workers, while Musa called for measures that would regulate rent increases.

The residents also pointed to the need for more affordable housing units to reduce pressure on the existing rental market.

The housing challenge in Abuja is further complicated by population growth, demand for accommodation around employment centres and the cost of developing new housing.

As construction costs remain high and demand for housing continues, residents face the challenge of finding accommodation they can afford without sacrificing other essential household needs.

For many Abuja households, the rising cost of rent has therefore become more than a housing issue. It is increasingly affecting how families allocate their income across food, education, transport, healthcare and other basic needs.

The post Rising Abuja Rents Consume Workers’ Annual Earnings as Households Cut Spending appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

2027 Election: Parties Outline Different Plans for Nigeria’s Housing Sector

Nigeria’s housing sector is becoming a prominent issue ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties putting forward different proposals on land administration, mortgage finance, affordable housing, rental housing and construction costs.

The proposals are being presented against a backdrop of rapid urbanisation, rising development costs and limited access to affordable housing.

A Guardian report published on September 28 estimated Nigeria’s housing deficit at about 15 million units and reported that the country could require approximately 550,000 new homes annually, with about N5.5 trillion needed over the next decade to address the shortfall.

The housing debate is extending beyond the number of homes parties propose to build, with land costs, infrastructure, access to long-term finance, building materials, property documentation and rental housing also featuring in the various proposals.

Housing affordability becomes a major policy issue

The proposals examined by the Guardian focus on structural factors affecting the cost and availability of housing.

These include access to titled land, long-term mortgage finance, serviced land, rental accommodation, construction materials and private-sector investment.

The report noted that increasing housing supply alone does not necessarily make homes affordable because land, infrastructure, financing, building materials and approval costs all contribute to the final price of a property.

It also reported that cement prices had risen to about N14,500 to N15,000 per 50kg bag, while reinforcement steel was selling for between N1.2 million and N1.5 million per tonne, depending on location.

APC continues existing housing programmes

The All Progressives Congress, which currently controls the Federal Government, is continuing with the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, Federal Housing Authority estates and mortgage-related reforms involving the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

The government has previously set a target of delivering 100,000 homes nationwide.

According to the Guardian report, the first phase includes housing cities of 1,000 units each across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside estates of up to 500 units in the remaining 30 states.

The report said work had commenced on more than 3,000 units in Abuja, while a 2,000-unit housing city at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, had reached an advanced stage, with sales underway.

The government has also stated that more than 15,000 housing units are under construction nationwide.

Housing finance is another component of the current administration’s programme.

The government said 1,859 families across 25 states had secured mortgages worth N128 billion through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund at a fixed interest rate of 9.75 per cent, repayable over 20 years.

The Federal Government has also proposed changes to the mortgage industry, including a National Housing Finance Authority and broader access to housing finance for workers in the informal sector.

SDP proposes three million affordable homes

The Social Democratic Party has proposed a National Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Programme.

Under the proposal contained in its manifesto, the party said it would seek to construct at least three million affordable housing units nationwide within four years through public investment, public-private partnerships and cooperative housing schemes.

The party said different housing models would be developed for various income groups and occupations, including low-income households, middle-income earners, young professionals, civil servants, artisans, farmers and senior citizens.

Its proposals also include mortgage-finance reforms, cooperative housing and employer-assisted housing.

Land administration forms another part of the SDP proposal.

The party identified delays in obtaining Certificates of Occupancy, unclear property rights, overlapping institutional responsibilities and lengthy registration processes as factors that can increase housing costs and discourage investment.

It proposed digital land registries, simplified property registration, transparent land allocation and modern cadastral systems in collaboration with state governments.

The proposed funding structure includes federal budget allocations, state counterpart funding, public-private partnerships, housing bonds, pension-fund investments, concessional development finance, diaspora investment and private capital.

PDP proposes social housing and land registry reforms

The Peoples Democratic Party is drawing on housing proposals contained in its 2023 policy agenda, according to the Guardian report.

Its proposals include a National Social Housing Fund, slum upgrading and 20-year mortgages at an interest rate of 10 per cent.

The party has also proposed reforms to land registries and the creation of a nationally interoperable system for transferable property rights.

The stated objective is to reduce transaction times, improve access to credit and increase transparency in property transactions.

The PDP has also proposed greater use of local building materials, mixed-income communities, public-private partnerships and a review of the Land Use Act to reduce the cost of acquiring land.

Other proposals include grants for site-and-services schemes, research into lower-cost building materials and measures to strengthen mortgage institutions.

AAC proposes N2m housing units and long-term mortgages

The African Action Congress has proposed affordable housing units at an average cost of N2 million per unit.

The party also proposed mortgage financing over 20 years at an interest rate of no more than 10 per cent.

According to the Guardian report, the party estimated annual repayments between N211,000 and N235,000 for the proposed N2 million units, depending on whether a 10 per cent deposit is made.

The AAC also proposed using government-owned land valued at $3.64 billion as seed investment for construction and to capitalise an investment fund open to Nigerians.

The proposals place land costs and long-term housing finance at the centre of the party’s housing approach.

ADC focuses on land, building materials and rental housing

The African Democratic Congress has included housing within a broader infrastructure, economic and social-policy agenda.

Its proposals cover mass social housing, land and finance reform, local production of building materials and rental housing.

The party has proposed faster land-title processing, lower land costs, serviced land and digitisation of land administration.

Its housing-finance proposals include mortgage reform, rent-to-own schemes, housing cooperatives and pension-backed financing.

The ADC has also proposed increased local production of cement, steel, roofing materials and tiles, alongside certified alternative building technologies.

It has linked construction costs to energy and transport expenses and proposed measures aimed at reducing those costs.

Rental housing also features in the party’s proposals, including greater institutional investment in rental properties and policies aimed at protecting both tenants and landlords.

NDC links housing to infrastructure and private capital

The National Democratic Congress has placed affordable housing and modern towns within its broader infrastructure and industrial-development agenda.

Its published 2027 manifesto summary identifies housing and urban planning alongside areas including power, roads, rail and ports, while proposing public-private partnerships as part of its wider economic strategy.

The party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, has provided additional details of the approach, including government allocation of suitable land and efforts to increase the scale of housing development.

Doherty also proposed government guarantees to provide institutional backing for investors and lenders, alongside secondary mortgage finance to expand access to housing finance.

The approach places emphasis on creating land, financing and institutional frameworks for private-sector participation rather than relying solely on government-funded construction.

Land administration features across proposals

Despite differences among the proposals, land administration is a recurring issue.

Digital land registries, faster title processing, transparent land allocation, clearer property rights and improved cadastral systems feature prominently in several of the plans.

Land administration has implications for the property market because uncertainty over ownership and lengthy registration processes can increase transaction costs and make it more difficult to use property as collateral.

For developers, reliable land documentation can also affect project timelines, financing decisions and investment risk.

The proposals therefore place land reform alongside housing construction rather than treating it solely as an administrative issue.

Mortgage finance remains a central issue

Access to long-term finance is another recurring theme across the housing proposals.

The various plans include lower mortgage rates, longer repayment periods, rent-to-own arrangements, cooperative financing, pension-backed housing finance and secondary mortgage-market mechanisms.

The focus reflects the gap between residential property prices and household incomes.

For many potential homeowners, the challenge is not simply finding a house but being able to finance its purchase over a period that matches their income.

Mortgage availability also affects developers because a larger pool of qualified buyers can support the absorption of new housing developments, while limited mortgage access can push developers towards higher-income segments where buyers have greater purchasing power.

Construction costs remain a major constraint

The various proposals also recognise the role of construction inputs in determining housing affordability.

The Guardian report highlighted increases in cement and reinforcement steel prices, while the party proposals include local production, alternative building technologies, lower energy costs and improved transport infrastructure as possible ways to reduce construction costs.

For private developers, lower input costs could affect project viability and the prices at which new homes are brought to market.

The issue is particularly relevant to affordable housing, where relatively small increases in construction costs can push properties beyond the purchasing capacity of intended buyers.

Rental housing receives greater attention

Rental housing also features in several of the proposals.

The plans include rent-to-own schemes, institutional investment in rental housing and measures aimed at increasing affordable rental supply.

This reflects the fact that not every household can immediately qualify for a mortgage or afford to purchase a property.

A larger and more formal rental market could also create opportunities for institutional investors, pension funds and other long-term capital providers, depending on the regulatory and investment environment.

Implementation remains a key issue

The range of proposals places significant emphasis on policy frameworks, financing structures and institutional reforms.

However, the Guardian report highlighted implementation as a major issue for any administration seeking to address Nigeria’s housing shortage.

Delivering housing at scale requires land, infrastructure, finance, construction capacity and coordination across federal, state and local institutions.

Land administration is substantially influenced by state-level systems, while housing finance, infrastructure, planning and construction involve multiple federal and subnational institutions.

For developers and investors, implementation would therefore involve more than the number of units contained in a manifesto. Development-ready land, financing costs, infrastructure, regulatory certainty, construction economics and the purchasing power of intended buyers would also affect delivery.

Housing becomes part of the 2027 policy debate

The 2027 election cycle has brought housing policy further into the national political discussion, with parties proposing measures covering land administration, mortgage finance, affordable and rental housing, construction costs and private-sector investment.

The proposals differ in their targets, financing mechanisms and institutional approaches.

Across the plans, however, land costs, mortgage access, construction inputs, infrastructure and household affordability feature repeatedly as factors affecting housing delivery.

For Nigeria’s housing and real estate market, the proposals provide different approaches to the same broad policy areas, while their eventual implementation would depend on the institutional, financial and economic conditions surrounding housing delivery.

The post 2027 Election: Parties Outline Different Plans for Nigeria’s Housing Sector appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nigeria Forecast to Outpace Major African Property Markets Through 2029

Nigeria’s real estate sector is projected to record the fastest annual growth among several major African property markets between 2025 and 2029, according to a new continental investment report.

The Real Estate Investment in Africa report forecasts that Nigeria’s property market will expand by approximately 6.9 per cent annually during the period.

This places the country ahead of Kenya, which is projected to grow by 5.1 per cent, Rwanda at 3.6 per cent, Ghana at 3.4 per cent and South Africa at 3.0 per cent.

The report estimates the value of Nigeria’s real estate market at about $2.6 trillion, making it the largest among the African countries examined. Egypt follows at approximately $1.6 trillion, while Ethiopia and South Africa are valued at $1.3 trillion and $1.2 trillion respectively.

Nigeria’s large and growing population, rapid urbanisation and continued expansion of cities such as Lagos and Abuja are among the major factors supporting demand for residential, commercial and industrial properties.

Across the continent, the real estate market is expected to grow by an average of 5.58 per cent annually through 2029. This is higher than the projected growth rates of 3.39 per cent in North America, 2.86 per cent in Europe and 2 per cent in Asia.

Despite the projected expansion, Africa represents only a small share of global property value. The report estimates the continent’s market at approximately $17.6 trillion, equivalent to about 2.7 per cent of the projected $650.4 trillion global real estate market in 2025.

Affordable housing, purpose-built student accommodation, build-to-rent developments, logistics facilities, warehouses, data centres, short-let apartments and green-building retrofits were identified as important investment opportunities.

Nigeria’s estimated gross rental yield of about 8 per cent also strengthens its appeal to investors. The figure is higher than the estimated returns in Kenya, Morocco, Egypt and Ghana but remains below those recorded in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Cameroon.

Demand for student housing is particularly strong. Accommodation developments around some university communities in Lagos reportedly recorded occupancy rates ranging from 88 to 96 per cent in 2026.

The expansion of Nigeria’s digital economy is also increasing demand for data centres and specialised industrial properties. The country’s operational data-centre capacity is projected to rise from approximately 86 megawatts to more than 218 megawatts by 2030.

However, the size and projected growth of the market do not automatically translate into affordable or investable properties.

High construction costs, expensive credit, weak mortgage access, infrastructure shortages, currency volatility and difficulties surrounding land titles continue to affect developers, buyers and investors.

Nigeria’s ability to realise the projected growth will therefore depend on improving land administration, expanding housing finance, investing in infrastructure and creating a more transparent regulatory environment.

The post Nigeria’s $2.6tn Real Estate Market to Outpace Africa Through 2029 appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The UK government has unveiled a £442 million housing support package aimed at helping people sleeping rough move off the streets before Christmas, as Prime Minister Andy Burnham steps up efforts to tackle the country’s homelessness crisis.

The programme will provide emergency accommodation and longer-term housing support across England, with areas experiencing the highest levels of homelessness and housing pressure expected to receive the largest share of the funding.

Burnham said no one should have to sleep in doorways or outside railway stations, arguing that the scale of rough sleeping should not be accepted as normal in one of the world’s largest economies.

The announcement comes amid a significant increase in rough sleeping across England.

Government figures show that 4,793 people were sleeping rough in England in 2025, the highest figure recorded.

However, rough sleepers represent only a fraction of the country’s wider homeless population.

Housing charity Shelter estimated that about 382,000 people were homeless in England in 2025. This broader figure includes people living in temporary accommodation, families and children without permanent housing, and people without secure tenure.

The figures highlight the difference between rough sleeping and the wider housing crisis.

While getting people off the streets is an immediate priority, the larger challenge involves providing enough affordable and secure housing to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place.

The £442 million programme will not be limited to emergency accommodation.

The government said the funding will also support the creation of more than 1,000 permanent homes over the next three years.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said the government was acting urgently to help people leave the streets, move into secure homes and access the support required to rebuild their lives.

The approach reflects an important principle in homelessness policy. Emergency accommodation can provide immediate protection, but permanent housing is needed to create long-term stability.

Burnham pointed to the UK’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence that government can move people sleeping rough into accommodation quickly when there is sufficient political will.

He argued that a similar effort could be mounted again to address the current crisis.

The government also plans to hold its first national summit dedicated specifically to tackling rough sleeping later this year.

Local leaders, including mayors, will be expected to play a major role in implementing the programme before Christmas.

Although the government has allocated £442 million, Burnham acknowledged that the funding may not be enough to completely achieve the target.

He has therefore called on wider society, including faith organisations and community groups, to contribute to the effort.

The programme is expected to be funded from the existing housing ministry budget rather than through a newly announced funding source.

This has already attracted criticism from opposition parties, with Conservative housing spokesman James Cleverly questioning how the government intends to deliver and finance the commitment.

Homelessness charities broadly welcomed the announcement, particularly the commitment to combine emergency accommodation with longer-term housing.

However, concerns remain over whether the programme will address the structural causes of homelessness.

Housing affordability, limited housing supply, insecure tenancies, rising rents and pressure on local authorities can all contribute to people losing stable accommodation.

Without addressing those underlying factors, emergency interventions risk treating the symptoms rather than the cause.

The UK’s homelessness figures demonstrate that housing crises are not limited to developing economies.

Even countries with large economies can struggle when housing supply, affordability and household incomes fall out of balance.

For policymakers, the challenge is therefore twofold. Governments must respond quickly to people already experiencing homelessness while also increasing the supply of affordable and secure homes.

The UK’s latest programme attempts to do both by combining immediate accommodation with funding for permanent housing.

Its success, however, will ultimately depend on whether those leaving the streets can move into stable, affordable homes rather than simply temporary accommodation.

The post UK PM Unveils Housing Plan to Get Rough Sleepers Off Streets appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nigeria’s rental housing market serves as both a reflection and reinforcement of the country’s systemic inequities. Young professionals, particularly those in non-traditional career paths, navigate a labyrinth of biases rooted in age, ethnicity, class, and profession when seeking accommodation.

Landlords, gatekeepers of this fraught system, often justify exclusionary practices under the guise of selecting “responsible tenants.” Yet their criteria rarely align with merit or financial reliability. Instead, they perpetuate cycles of discrimination that stifle innovation, deepen social divides, and entrench Nigeria’s culture of impunity.

While the country’s tech and creative industries thrive, generating global recognition and economic opportunities, landlords remain wedded to outdated notions of “respectable” work. Careers in artificial intelligence, content creation, or digital entrepreneurship are frequently dismissed as unstable or illegitimate. A 25-year-old software developer might earn triple the income of a 40-year-old civil servant, yet landlords disproportionately distrust the former.

This bias is exacerbated by Nigeria’s economic volatility. Demands for one to two years’ rent in advance—a practice born of inflation fears and currency instability—disproportionately exclude younger tenants whose income streams, though substantial, may come irregularly. Meanwhile, older tenants in government roles are deemed “stable,” despite systemic issues like salary delays or pension defaults.

Landlords compound this distrust with invasive scrutiny. Young applicants report being interrogated about marital status and family backgrounds or pressured to provide guarantors from “recognised” professions. Unmarried women face additional moral policing, with assumptions that solo living invites impropriety. Such practices weaponise tradition against progress, framing youth as a liability rather than an asset.

Housing discrimination in Nigeria is inextricably tied to ethnicity, though rarely acknowledged openly. In cosmopolitan hubs like Lagos or Abuja, landlords often prioritise tenants from their own ethnic group, invoking coded language like “we prefer someone familiar with our culture.” A Hausa landlord in Enugu might reject an Igbo applicant over unspoken stereotypes, while a Yoruba professional in Kano faces similar exclusion.

This prejudice thrives on Nigeria’s unresolved tensions around indigeneity and belonging. Non-indigenes residents born or raised outside their ethnic homeland—are particularly vulnerable, lacking the communal ties that might ease negotiations. Even financially viable tenants are denied housing based on perceived “otherness,” reinforcing social fragmentation. For a nation grappling with national unity, the rental market becomes a battleground for identity politics.

Nigeria’s rental market reveals a perverse hierarchy of criminality. A landlord might reject a freelance graphic designer over unfounded fraud suspicions while readily renting to a politician under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This double standard underscores society’s normalisation of elite corruption.

Upper-class malfeasance—embezzlement, contract inflation, money laundering—is framed as “smartness” or political strategy. In contrast, middle-class Nigerians face harsh moral judgment for minor infractions. The disparity stems from visibility elites operate in gated estates, private jets, and opaque systems, while the struggles of everyday citizens unfold in public view. A governor’s stolen billions are abstract, but a market trader’s petty fraud is tangible. Landlords, often middle-class themselves, project their anxieties onto tenants they perceive as peers, conflating financial precarity with dishonesty.

Nigeria’s housing crisis cannot be divorced from broader institutional failures. The absence of rent-control laws, social housing programs, or credit systems forces landlords to shoulder all financial risks. With no safeguards against defaults, survivalism dictates their actions—hence demands for exorbitant advance payments and restrictive tenant criteria.

Youth unemployment, officially over 40%, exacerbates the problem. Young Nigerians cobble together income through side hustles, gig work, or tech startups, but landlords often dismiss these efforts as unserious. A Gen Z entrepreneur running a profitable TikTok affiliate marketing business, for instance, may struggle to prove credibility compared to a mid-level bank employee with a fixed but lower salary.

Ethnic and class biases thrive in this vacuum. Without standardised screening frameworks, landlords default to stereotypes, conflating ethnicity with reliability or equating age with responsibility. The state’s failure to provide affordable housing or regulate the rental market entrenches these inequities.

Accommodation is more than shelter—it is dignity, security, and a foundation for growth. By transforming the rental market from a gatekeeper of exclusion to an engine of equity, Nigeria can unlock the potential of its younger generations. Until then, the promise of innovation will remain stifled at the doorstep.

This crisis stems from political decisions, not market forces. Public housing initiatives languish as speculators hoard properties, awaiting price increases. We’ve built a system rewarding empty homes over housed families.

Other nations demonstrate alternative possibilities. Germany’s 2015 rental reforms limited price increases and eliminated most tenant-paid agent fees, reducing Berlin’s tenant turnover by 26%. Singapore houses 80% of its population in high-quality public housing, linking prices to income rather than speculation. China has dramatically reduced housing agent fees through public digital platforms connecting tenants directly with landlords.

Nigeria needs similar bold action. Rents must align with local incomes. In Abuja, where average formal sector pay reaches ₦350,000 monthly, maximum rents of ₦1M would ensure both fair returns for landlords and dignity for tenants.

A free, government-run digital platform listing available homes would bypass predatory agents. Combined with empowered state rent boards staffed by economists and tenant advocates, this system would bring transparency to an opaque market.

Critics might argue such reforms would discourage development. Evidence proves otherwise. Singapore’s public housing system coexists with a thriving luxury market serving expatriates and investors.

The challenge isn’t economic but political. Powerful interests profiting from the current system will resist change. Yet the cost of maintaining the status quo—measured in emigrating professionals, families crowded into slums, and cities fractured by inequality—far outweighs the discomfort of reform.

Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew understood that nations prove their greatness through their treatment of their most vulnerable citizens. By this measure, Nigeria’s housing system represents a national failure. We can and must do better. Houses exist for living, not speculation. Our policies must reflect this fundamental truth.

The path forward requires neither market chaos nor absolute state control, but rather a housing system serving human needs instead of pure profit. Other nations have achieved this balance. Nigeria’s future depends on our ability to do the same.

The post Nigeria’s rental housing market and the urgent need for reform appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

She made this known during a recent press briefing of the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority in Ikeja, Lagos.

Odunuga-Bakare stated, “We all see what is being done in other climes, rents are collected monthly. Hence, we are looking and hoping that before the end of the year, or by early next year, we will be able to implement the policy of monthly rental.

Also, the rental would be charged according to tenants’ earnings.”

She further explained that the implementation would begin within the public sector as a test-run to ascertain its viability. The N5 billion allocated for the scheme remains untouched, indicating the state government’s commitment to its realization.

READ ALSO: Residents Flee as Kidnappings Surge in Niger State Border Town To Abuja

“The fact that the scheme has been slow to take off shows that the Lagos State Government is still trying to perfect one thing or the other,” Odunuga-Bakare added.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had previously advocated for a monthly rental system, noting that the current yearly rent model was inadequate, especially for low- and middle-income earners. He urged policymakers to consider this recommendation and initiate a regulatory framework to facilitate the transition.

READ ALSO: Residents Flee as Kidnappings Surge in Niger State Border Town To Abuja

The Governor emphasized that Lagos was already working on modalities for monthly rents to accommodate residents not interested in the state’s homeownership scheme.

The move towards a monthly rental system has garnered support from various stakeholders, including the then Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who highlighted the inequalities created by the yearly rental system and its impact on housing affordability for low-income earners.”

The post Lagos State to Introduce Monthly Rental Scheme by End of 2024 appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Several Democratic senators urged the Federal Reserve on Sunday to cut interest rates, which they argue have “aggravated the country’s persistent crisis of housing access and affordability.”

In a letter to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said the central bank’s decision to rapidly raise rates has resulted in higher costs for homebuyers and renters, as well as a lack of new construction.

“As the Fed weighs its next steps in the new year, we urge you to consider the effects of your interest rate decisions on the housing market and to reverse the troubling rate hikes that have put affordable housing out of reach for too many,” the group wrote in Sunday’s letter.

The Fed repeatedly raised interest rates throughout 2022 and 2023 to tame inflation, which peaked at a 40-year high of 9.1 percent in June 2022. 

Inflation has since cooled significantly, with consumer prices up just 3.4 percent year-over-year in December, and the central bank has held off on further rate hikes at its last three consecutive meetings. 

READ ALSO: Lagos Goes Tough On Buildings Without Town Planning Permit

While the Democratic senators acknowledged the Fed’s decision to hold rates steady in recent months, they warned that “interest rates are still too high for many American families, who already cannot afford to pay rent or buy their first homes.”

Mortgage rates, which tend to follow interest rates, have climbed over the past two years. In late October, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to nearly 8 percent, marking a two-decade high. It has since fallen to an average of 6.69 percent.

Higher mortgage rates have led to higher costs for homeowners and deterred prospective first-time homebuyers, who remain in the rental market, the senators noted.

However, they suggested that high interest rates have also translated into higher rental costs, as landlords pass off the costs of higher mortgage rates onto their tenants.

READ ALSO: Inflation And Exchange Rate Spikes Ignite Borrowing In The Real Estate Sector

The Democratic senators also warned that this lack of housing affordability “places a disparate burden on the shoulders of Black and Hispanic households.”

The Fed panel responsible for deciding monetary policy is set to meet later this week. While it is largely expected to hold rates steady at its January meeting, most Fed officials said in December that they expect at least two rate cuts in 2024.

The post Democratic senators call on Fed to cut interest rates over high housing costs appeared first on Housing TV Africa.