Housing deficit: Lagos to construct 20,000 new housing units

LAGOS State government, in partnership with private developers, is constructing 20,000 housing units in the next five years under the Lagos Affordable Public Housing (LAPH).

Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, disclosed this at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, saying this was part of programmed activities towards addressing the high demand for housing units by Lagosians,

Speaking during the annual ministerial press briefing of the ministry in commemoration of the second year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the commissioner said six developers had already been mobilised to sites for the housing units, to be christened Jubilee Housing Estates in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the state.

He listed Ijora Badiya, Imota, Ayobo , Idale (Badagry), Ilamoye-Isolo , Abijo, Tolu (Ajegunle), Abule Ado, Ikota, Ibeshe, Owutu and Igbogbo as areas where the Jubilee Housing Estates are site.

According to him, 456 units of the ongoing estates project are scheduled for completion by June 2017, while 5,196 are due for completion later in the year.

Lawal, who stated that the global housing deficit is huge, explained that the state government was striving hard to proffer solutions to the various challenges confronting housing in Lagos State.

He noted that a total number of 4,355 homes were available under the Rent-To-Own policy in five Estates, including Sir Micheal Otedola Estate Odoragunshin, Epe; Oba Adeboruwa Estate, Igbogbo, Ikorodu; Choice City, Agbowa, Hon. Olaitan Mustapha and Alhaja Adetoun Mustapha, Ojokoro, while a total of 12 schemes had been earmarked for the policy.

According to the commissioner, the Rent-To-Own initiative which offers prospective beneficiaries the opportunity to pay the required 5 per cent of the value of the housing unit as commitment fee while the balance is spread over 10 years is specifically developed for low and medium income earners.

Aside the Rent-To-Own Policy, the Lawal said the state government has also commenced the Rental Housing Programme targeted at meeting the needs of citizens who might not be interested in ownership or might not be able to meet the requirement of equity contribution for mortgage.

“All that is required in this category is to pay one month rent,” he said.

On the question of the promise made last year to train artisans, he pointed out that 200 craftsmen, including masons, carpenters, steel fabricators, plumbers, electricians, painters, joiners and tilers had received training in the building industry under the state’s Master Craftsmen Project.

“Another policy initiative of the Ministry is the ‘Master Craftsman Project’, which is intended to redress the dearth of skilled workers in the building industry such as masons, carpenters, steel fabricators, plumbers, electricians, painters, joiners, tilers and the likes,” he said.

Lawal further stressed that the state government had continued to intervene in Real Estate Transaction matters, including tenancy and rent through the Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD) established in 2012 under the Office of Special Adviser on Housing.

He disclosed that 130 complaints/petitions were received and 36 were successfully resolved, including that of Agent Salami that duped about 130 unsuspecting prospective tenants saying 94 others were receiving attention.

“Our intention is that residents are protected in the course of Real Estate Transactions and that all players comply with Lagos State Tenancy Law, Criminal Law and other legislation on landed property transactions,” Lawal said.