Organized Self-Help Housing- A Public Private Partnership Model for Sustainable Homeownership Schemes in Nigeria.

Homeownership is the preferred housing tenure in many societies. In Nigeria, it is the dream of many households. However, attempts by successive governments to ensure access of households to homeownership have yielded minimal results especially for low-income households. It is in the light of this that this paper draws from literature and case-studies to propose the organized self-help housing (OSHH) strategy – a model of the public private partnership concept which has high prospects of increasing access of low-income households to homeownership. It elaborates the operations of the model and highlights its unique advantages over other housing strategies that have targeted low-income homeownership in the country. These include ensuring that the target group is reached, building of social capital within neighbourhoods and synergy between residents of low-income neighbourhoods and government. It also identifies key stakeholders and their roles. These include the vital roles that architects can play in ensuring the success of the model and invariably sustainable housing development in Nigeria

Use of Space in a Caireen Home: a case study of Sayedda Zenab District, Cairo, Egypt.

This paper reports on the domestic use of space by residents of Sayedda Zenab one of the oldest and decay districts of Cairo, Egypt. Data was sourced as part of a wider study which sought to evolve a proposal for revitalising the study area. The area was mapped to isolate the residential buildings. Data was collected by visiting these houses and interviewing the occupants on mainly their daily activities, mode of performing them and place where they are performed. The study found out that use of space in domestic houses in the area was influenced by culture, religion and socio-economic conditions. It also noted the inadequacy of spaces which resulted in flexibility in the use of spaces

More than a Home: Resident Landlords’ Strategies for Socio-Economic Survival in Low-Income Settlements in Lagos, Nigeria

Housing is a very basic necessity of life, providing shelter from inclement weather and security from intruders. It also provides a base for occupants to launch into the wider world. It has also been acknowledged as a cornerstone of household wealth especially for low-income households. This paper examines the economic role of the house as source of additional household income for resident landlords in Ayobo, a predominantly low-income settlement in Lagos, Nigeria. Empirical data is drawn from a household survey of 306 landlords currently resident in the area using questionnaire, observations and interviews. Results suggest that access to homeownership creates additional opportunities for household income generation for landlords which are not available to tenants. These include opportunities for rental, establishment of home-based enterprise and sub-leasing of premises. Key words: landlords, household, income, informal settlement