THE CONSTRAINTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING FINANCE IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Adequate housing provides the foundation for stable communities and social inclusion (Oladapo 2006). Glbertson (2008) have observed that there is a significant association between housing conditions and physical and mental health of an individual. People’s right to shelter is thus a basic one and the provision of decent housing to all requiring them should be the hallmark of every civilized society and one of the criteria for gauging development. However, the provision of adequate housing in Nigeria and other developing Nations alike still remains one of the most intractable challenges facing human and National development. Previous attempts by all stakeholders, including government agencies, planners and developers to provide necessary recipe for solving the housing problem have yield little or no success. The aim of this study is to appraise the issue of some constraints of public housing finance in Calabar metropolis of Cross River State. The following objectives were formulated; To examine the issues related to public housing finance in Calabar metropolis, To identify the bodies responsible for public housing finance in Calabar metropolis, To identify some of these constraints to public housing finance in Calabar metropolis, To suggest ways and give recommendations to the solutions of the issues of public housing finance to ensure sustainable development in Calabar metropolis. The study used data from observation interviews and questionnaire administration. A total of 400 questionnaire were administered and 383 were returned and used for analysis. The study employed various approaches in the presentation and analysis of data. However tables and charts were used in the presentation of data. The hypothesis formulated were tested using the pearson product moment correlation. Findings also revealed the Issues Relating To Public Housing Finance to include; Lack of effective implementation strategies, poor promotion of security of tenure, inadequate supply of affordable land and infrastructure, inadequacy of housing finance systems, poor utilization of local building materials and technologies, lack of support to small-scale construction activities, inappropriate standards and legislation, inadequate participation of communities in shelter development process and support to self-help, lack of focused research and experimental projects, poor utilization of research findings, are amongst such major constraints. .From the findings it was recommendations were given to ensure an efficient and effective Public Housing finance system in Calabar Metropolis.