AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The rising demand for sustainable and affordable housing in Nigeria has drawn attention to the use of environmentally friendly and cost-effective building materials. This study explores the potential of timber as a construction material for sustainable and affordable housing and building development in Benin City, Edo State. Timber, being a renewable and locally available resource, offers significant advantages in terms of energy efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and economic viability. The research assesses the level of timber adoption in the local construction industry, evaluates its suitability in terms of structural performance, cost, and sustainability, and examines the challenges hindering its widespread use. Findings indicate that while timber is perceived positively for its aesthetic and thermal qualities, concerns regarding durability, fire resistance, and regulatory gaps remain key obstacles. The study concludes that with proper treatment, policy support, and awareness campaigns, timber can play a critical role in addressing Nigeria's housing deficit sustainably and affordably. Recommendations are made for policymakers, architects, and developers on strategies to promote timber adoption in future building projects.

The purpose of this research is to examine how real estate has influenced the availability of affordable housing in Nigeria. Real estate has the potential to contribute significantly to the growth of affordable housing. Until recently, knowledge about its composition and development was fairly limited. This research work seeks to document the significance of affordable housing as it has been recognized as a key priority by the Nigerian government, given the Real Estate sectors importance in addressing social needs and its role in the local economy. A central part of local capacity building in real estate is the use of local currency to match assets and liabilities and to minimize exposure to foreign exchange risk, thereby providing affordable housing. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of using locally sourced materials in home construction in driving economic development and, as a result, providing affordable housing. It can have extremely beneficial primary and secondary effects in driving economic growth; however, in the design and construction of housing developments, architects, developers, and financiers must consider local habits and cultures. The findings of this study will have an impact on architects, estate managers, and other stakeholders in Nigeria, promoting sustainable urban development and affordable housing