Abstract

The thrust of this study was to evaluate the design and construction as a housing acceptability factor of nine public housing estates in Awka and five others in Onitsha towns in Anambra State using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method. The universe of the study consisted of 2,805 housing units in Awka and Onitsha by house type and 2,955 occupants including 50 persons each from Anambra State Housing Development Corporation/Anambra Homeownership Company Limited (ASHDC/ AHOCOL), Non Estate Occupiers (NEOs) and Private Estate Developers (PEDs) involved. The sample size for the study was 899 which represented 30% of the total population which were drawn using proportionate cluster sampling technique, while 887 were complete responses. One research question and one hypothesis were formulated for the study. An 18-item structured questionnaire (QAHPH) was developed; face and content validated and reliability test was done using Cronbach Alpha Technique index value of 0.90 and pre-tested on a sample of 30 respondents/residents of another housing estate. T-test, Correlation Matrix and Principal Component analysis were used in answering research questions, while t-test were used to test hypotheses at 0. 05 level of significance. The major findings of the study was (1), there is a significant difference between the mean perception of the occupants and the staff of ASHDC/AHOCOL on the design and construction of public housing. It was concluded that (1).That the design and construction of public housing in Awka and Onitsha met the expectations and preferences of the end-users. The adoption of flexibility in design which increased densities encouraged mix uses and changed urban land use form based on different interpretations given to blueprints for developments and targeting of different income groups made for improvement of public housing estate delivery.