ASSESSMENT OF RESIDENTIAL SATISFACTION AS A DETRMINANT OF NEIGHBORHOOD CHOICE AMONG RESIDENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN OWERRI, IMO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Housing is a basic requirement for the realization of better quality of life and standard of living. Adequate and decent housing determines the psychosocial, physical and spiritual satisfaction of the residents on the one hand and predicts their socioeconomic and emotional status, privacy and security on the other. The choice of neighbourhood depends on certain indicators that influence the residents. This study was aimed at assessing the level of residential satisfaction as a determinant of neighbourhood choice among the residents of public housing estates in Owerri. The objectives of the study were to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of the residents’ in the selected public housing estates, assess the physical characteristics of the selected public housing estates and examine the residents level of residential satisfaction in the selected estates. Pearson product moment correlation technique was adopted in the analysis. A total of 351 copies of questionnaire were administered to residents of the public housing estates in Owerri Imo State, Nigeria. Data analysis was carried out with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that there is a strong and positive correlation in the level of residential satisfaction between the residents of the selected Federal and State housing estates in the study area (N = 351, p = <0.001, r = 0.86). However, further in depth analysis of t-Test for Independent Samples revealed that the correlation was not statistically significant (t = 1.45, p = 0.151). The study also revealed that the major determinants of neighbourhood choice in the study area include (low housing rent, availability of water supply, security architecture, quality of housing units, circulation and availability of electricity supply). The study therefore recommended that intensive measures should be well positioned by the government and relevant non-governmental organizations to ensure sufficient provision and maintenance of facilities, utilities and services within the study area, the drainage system as well as sewage disposal and management system of the housing units should be carefully considered, as these contribute to all kinds of pollution within the housing estates and that the government should adopt policies that promote mortgage-based housing schemes for low and middleincome earners in Nigeria.