Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Public housing programs play a crucial role in addressing housing challenges in Nigeria, a country with a significant housing deficit. This research project aims to evaluate public housing programs in Nigeria from a theoretical and conceptual perspective. By examining the existing public housing schemes in the country, this study seeks to assess their effectiveness in providing affordable and adequate housing for low-income households. The theoretical framework for this research is based on the principles of social housing and public policy. Drawing on theories of housing provision and public administration, the study will analyze the underlying concepts and principles that guide public housing programs in Nigeria. By exploring the theoretical foundations of public housing, this research intends to provide a deeper understanding of the rationale behind these programs and their intended outcomes. In addition to the theoretical framework, this study will also employ a conceptual approach to evaluate public housing programs in Nigeria. By examining the design, implementation, and outcomes of existing public housing schemes, the research will assess the extent to which these programs align with the stated objectives of providing affordable and decent housing for low-income families. Through a conceptual analysis, this study aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses of public housing programs in Nigeria and offer recommendations for improvement. Methodologically, this research will utilize a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Data will be collected through document analysis, interviews with key stakeholders, and surveys of beneficiaries of public housing programs. By triangulating data from multiple sources, this study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of public housing programs in Nigeria. The findings of this research are expected to contribute to the existing literature on public housing in Nigeria and inform policy discussions on housing provision for low-income households. By critically evaluating public housing programs from a theoretical and conceptual perspective, this study seeks to identify areas for improvement and recommend strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of these programs in meeting the housing needs of the most vulnerable populations in Nigeria.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this paper is to develop and test a theoretical and conceptual framework for an alternative approach to evaluation of public housing programmes in Nigeria. It seeks to address limitations of existing approaches where one theory or discipline has the upper hand in evaluating public housing programmes. This paper proposes a broad-based framework for assessing relationships between input, output and outcomes of public housing programmes through a realistic approach to evaluation based on objective-oriented theory, theory-driven evaluation paradigm and conceptual issues. This approach allows for the use of logical framework to explain the complex connections between underlying programme theory and outcomes. The distinct features of this alternative evaluation approach include: an open-ended evaluation approach; housing providers and residents participation; broad-based and a multi-faceted data gathering approaches and analysis in distinguishing the outcome of different housing delivery strategies in public housing programmes.