IMPACT OF HOUSING COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES ON ECONOMIC GROWTH (ECONOMICS PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
Abstract
Housing problems in Nigeria are multi-dimensional. They occur both in the urban and rural areas. They are qualitative, quantitative, psychological and socio-cultural in nature. These problems are consequences of the inability and ineffectiveness of both the public and private sectors to meet the housing needs of the populace. As a result of this, any lasting solution to the Nigerian housing problem requires a multi- faceted approach. Various policies aimed at alleviating these housing problems have been formulated and implemented. They have met with varying degrees of success. After identifying the main causes of housing problems in Nigeria, this research examines the Cooperative housing Societies concept and its impact to the growth of the economy. The essential features of the concept are discussed and an evaluation is made of its impact on the housing sector in selected area of study based on various criteria. Some of these are: aims and objectives, modalities for funding, peculiarities of implementation, planning imperatives and levels of success. The research concludes by relating the experiences of these countries to the contemporary Nigerian housing situation and determining the applicability of the cooperative housing concept given the nation’s socio-economic environment.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Kinnis (2002) defined, co-operative housing as a society that co-operatively owns a group of houses or flats in. which each member participates actively in all matters concerning the estate. Sazama (2000) observes that, cooperative housing is a society where members/residents jointly own their buildings, democratically control them and receive social and economic benefits accruable from living in and owing them co-operatively. Housing co-operative is a pragmatic and cost effective means of home ownership. Victor and Bilyaminu (2002) said that, co-operative housing has been tested in many nations where it has been used, to varying degrees of success and to address housing problems, therefore modifying this concept to suit Nigerians socio-cultural and socio- economic peculiarities will result in renewed hope for the average Nigerian in his quest to attain home ownership as well as reliving him from his poverty trap.
