HDAN calls for effective action against housing deficit, recurrent flooding

THE current housing deficit in Nigeria, coupled with the devastating impact of flooding, underscores the need for urgent and effective action, the  Housing Development and Advocacy Network, has raised the alarm.

The group warned that without urgent action, the housing deficit would continue to grow, leaving millions of Nigerians without a safe place to call home.

The group, led by its Executive Director, Mr Festus Adebayo, in a document, pointed out that despite the fact that Nigeria is grappling with a significant housing shortage due to its burgeoning population and rapid urbanisation,  the recurrent flooding has devastated communities, displaced millions of people while intensifying the housing crisis in the country.

To mitigate the impact of flooding on housing,  the group said that Nigeria will need to adopt a more integrated approach to urban planning, combining sustainable infrastructure with modern technology.

“Green infrastructure, such as permeable pavements and rain gardens, could help reduce runoff and manage stormwater more effectively. Additionally, improved early warning systems and better communication of flood risks could help communities prepare and respond more effectively to flooding,” the affordable housing pressure group said.

HDAN also called for an urgent need for the Nigerian government to build more houses and create an enabling environment for developers to construct affordable homes.

This step, the group said,  could not be overstated, adding that with a housing deficit of 28 million units, strategic measures must be taken to bridge this gap.

By prioritising housing development and removing bureaucratic hurdles,  the group said that the government could encourage private sector investment in affordable housing projects.

According to the group, this approach will not only provide millions of Nigerians with access to decent and safe shelter but also significantly reduce the housing deficit across the country, fostering social stability and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

The group said: “The housing crisis in Nigeria is a complex issue, made more challenging by the increasing threat of flooding. As the country continues to urbanize and its population grows, the need for sustainable and resilient housing solutions becomes more critical. Without urgent action, the housing deficit will continue to grow, leaving millions of Nigerians without a safe place to call home.

The group described housing as a basic necessity that is becoming increasingly out of reach for many. The housing situation, which is already dire, the group said has been exacerbated by recurrent flooding, which has devastated communities, displaced millions and intensified the housing crisis in the country.

“According to reports, the floods of 2022 stand as one of the most devastating in Nigeria’s recent history. Triggered by unusually heavy rainfall, which has been linked to climate change, and the release of excess water from dams, the floods wreaked havoc across 34 states, displacing over two million people. In Anambra State alone, 526,215 people were displaced, while in Bayelsa, the hardest-hit region, 700,000 people were forced to flee their homes as floodwaters engulfed over 300 communities. These numbers represent not just a temporary inconvenience but a significant blow to the nation’s housing infrastructure.

“The impact of flooding is not confined to immediate displacement. It has long-term consequences for the housing sector, as the destruction of homes means a loss of housing stock, further widening the deficit.

In states like Borno, more than six camps housing nearly 16,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were destroyed, forcing the already vulnerable populations into emergency shelters and makeshift accommodations. The flooding has also led to the closure of IDP camps, such as in Bayelsa, where the government had no choice but to shut down camps as the floods overwhelmed the state’s capacity to provide safe refuge,” HDAN said.

“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported that the ongoing flooding has already claimed 179 lives and displaced 208,655 people across 22 states this year alone. The destruction has been widespread, with 107,652 hectares of farmland and 80,049 houses destroyed. States like Bauchi, Sokoto, and Jigawa have seen thousands of homes wiped out, leaving many families without shelter.”

The  group noted that causes of Nigeria’s flooding wete largely human-induced, exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and poor urban planning.

“Many residential areas lack proper drainage systems, relying instead on natural channels that are insufficient to handle the increased runoff caused by urbanization. The rapid expansion of cities, often unregulated, has led to the construction of buildings on floodplains and stormwater paths, further increasing the risk of flooding.

Historically, Nigeria’s approach to flooding has been reactive rather than proactive, focusing on post-disaster response rather than prevention. However, with the increasing frequency and severity of floods, there is a growing recognition of the need for a comprehensive flood risk management strategy. While the government has agencies like NEMA and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) that are equipped to address these challenges, the lack of coordination and communication between these bodies hampers effective action./,” the group said.

“Housing is a fundamental human need, providing not just shelter but also protection for individuals and their environment. Nigeria, with an estimated population exceeding 200 million, has seen its infrastructure, particularly housing, stretched to the breaking point. The housing deficit is enormous, with current estimates suggesting that the country is short of 28 million housing units. This shortfall is not just a statistic but a stark reality for millions of Nigerians who struggle to find affordable and adequate housing,” it added.

The housing crisis in Nigeria, the group emphasized was  further compounded by the ongoing demolition of buildings, particularly in urban areas like Lagos and other key states.

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