Abstract
In most urban societies, housing cost is a major household expense particularly amongst the working population whose housing and non-housing needs depend on their income. Workers constitute a vibrant segment of urban population that require housing to function. In Lagos, Nigeria, federal civil servants operate within the context of stagnant wages and consistent rise in housing cost. This scenario prompts the need to compare the amount of housing allowance paid to civil servants with the housing cost they incur. Using the rent-to-income ratio approach, the housing allowance of a cross section of University of Lagos employees was compared with the housing cost they incur. The findings of this paper indicate how civil servants deal with the issue of housing affordability. It can help policy makers determine how to review housing allowance of civil servants with the intent of helping them meet their housing needs.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Housing, Workers, Affordability, Allowance, Rent
