This paper appraises the condition of housing in residential core area of Akure city in
SouthWestern Nigeria taking Erekesan, which consists of Erekesan-Itanla, Eruoba,
Afunbiowo, Alakure, Alakure-Ijofi and Iworokosagba as case study. Assessing the
quality of existing housing stock, quality of the housing environment, and the
availability of the neighbourhood facilities were the major objectives. Data were
obtained through questionnaire, personal interview, physical observation of the
housing structures and were analysed with appropriate statistical tools. The study
reveals a homeownership rate of 40% with average occupancy ratio of 8 persons per
household. Only 35.38% of the housing units surveyed have functional wc, 41.31%
are with pit-latrine and 23.25% with no toilet facilities. 65.7% of the household
depends on well for their domestic water supply while as low as 8.3% use in house
taps. 42% of houses were constructed of compressed earth bricks, 23% used mud
bricks while 17.5% used cement block. 16.5% of these dwellings were in good
condition as against 83.5% with notable defects. About 22.5% households practice
planned maintenance but only 16.8% have maintenance budgets, hence most houses
do not show evidence of proper maintenance. Only 29.70% of the houses surveyed
have access to good urban infrastructures such as road network and drainage system.
The paper suggests massive construction of boreholes and pipe borne water,
improvement on waste management scheme, engagement of more environmental
inspectors, slum upgrading and improvement and direct government investments in
urban infrastructure.