Date of Publication : September 2026

Abstract: This study investigated institutional and operational challenges affecting affordable housing delivery in Port Harcourt Metropolis. A descriptive survey design with mixed methods approach was adopted, collecting data from 362 respondents across ten housing estates using structured questionnaires, supplemented by six key informant interviews. The Chi-Square test of independence was employed to test two hypotheses at 0.05 significance. Findings revealed private developers dominate housing provision (57.2%) compared to public developers (25.7%), with blocks of flats (43.6%) and 2-bedroom flats (39.0%) as predominant housing types. Public developers face bureaucratic bottlenecks (12.6%), poor conceptualisation of housing demand (13.5%), and inter-agency conflicts (11.9%). Private developers encounter underdevelopment (17.7%), abandoned projects (17.0%), and insecurity (16.4%). Abandoned projects (26.8%) and temporary structures (24.8%) were major affordability-reducing factors. Monopoly (34.5%) and lack of transparency (33.4%) hinder access to private housing, while corruption (9.4%) affects public housing access. Proposed strategies include rent control (34.7%), low-cost housing schemes (33.6%), and public-private collaboration (16.9%). Ancillary infrastructure (38.7%) and public transportation (36.8%) are emphasised. Regulatory reforms include streamlining approvals (35.0%) and enforcing building codes (31.1%). The Chi-Square analysis confirmed significant associations between developer challenges and affordable housing provision (χ²=127.14, p<0.001), with underdevelopment (61.59%) and abandoned projects (19.80%) being the most critical challenges. Significant associations were also established between housing provider type and affordability provision (χ²=73.35, p<0.001), with affordability perception (50.73%) and value for money perception (48.15%) being the most significant dimensions differentiating the two sectors. The study concludes that addressing affordability requires comprehensive institutional reforms, strengthened regulatory frameworks, improved infrastructure, expanded housing finance, and enhanced public-private collaboration to bridge the affordability gap in Port Harcourt.

Keyword : Institutional challenges, Operational challenges, Housing affordability, Public and Private housing developers, Nigeria.

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