When we talk about solving housing problems, it is easy to think in simple terms “everyone needs a roof over their head.” But the truth is, housing is more than just shelter. A roof may shield us from the rain, but a true home offers dignity, stability, and belonging.
Let’s explore why it is important to understand the differences between shelter and housing, and the reason investing in a home is one of the most empowering decisions anyone can make.
Shelter: Survival not Stability
Shelter refers to the basic, immediate protection that provides safety from bad weather or danger. Think of emergency tents, temporary structures, or makeshift accommodations. These are very important in times of crisis, natural disasters, displacement, or homelessness. In disaster zones like Borno State in Northeast Nigeria, over 2.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) rely on shelters for survival due to insurgency. Similarly, after the 2022 floods across Bayelsa and Kogi, makeshift shelters were erected by emergency response agencies to give people a place to rest but not a place to live.
Shelter addresses a need for survival. It’s about now not tomorrow. Shelter is a response to crisis, not a solution for progress.
Housing is a Platform for Life
Housing, on the other hand, is a long-term solution. It includes physical infrastructure, but also encompasses access to clean water and sanitation, and security of tenure (the right to stay without fear of eviction)
According to the UN-Habitat, housing is a human right, and includes: Security of tenure, habitability, accessibility, cultural adequacy, and affordability. In essence, housing is not just where you sleep, it’s where you live, grow, and build a future. It supports mental health, child development, employment, education, and social cohesion.
Where Do Low-Standard Houses Fit In?
Low-standard houses come in between shelter and housing. On the surface, they may appear to be “homes” because they have walls, roofs, and are occupied. But when examined closely, many of them fail to meet the criteria for adequate housing.
Key Issues with Low-Standard Housing:
- Structural safety issues (weak foundations, poor ventilation, overcrowding)
- Lack of basic amenities (no potable water, poor sanitation, no drainage)
- May have no legal tenure (built without proper titles, often on encroached or informal land)
- Hazard-prone locations (flood zones, refuse dumps, polluted wetlands)
- Limited social infrastructure (no schools, clinics, roads, or security)
Nigeria faces a substantial housing deficit, with a large gap between the number of housing units needed and those currently available. Roughly 80% of urban dwellers in Nigeria live in either rented or informal housing. This situation is a major challenge, with many urban residents residing in unplanned settlements characterized by poor living conditions and inadequate infrastructure. Many urban residents, especially those in lower income brackets, rely on rented housing, often spending a significant portion of their income on rent.
Substandard housing contributes to urban slums, which house over 24% of Nigerians, according to World Bank data. It contributes to building collapses, which have killed hundreds due to lack of regulation and standards. It also poses great health risks, especially in areas without proper sewage or ventilation.
These characteristics degrade quality of life and expose occupants to physical, social, and economic risks. In such cases, the house may technically exist, but it doesn’t qualify as adequate housing.
A Message for Investors and other Real Estate Stakeholders
As real estate developers, investors, and urban planners, we have a responsibility to look beyond short-term wins. It’s time we focus on meaningfully serving people with adequate housing that enhances livability and build social stability. Because in the end, real estate is not about roofs, it’s about lives.
Conclusion
Buying or building goes beyond owning land, it’s about creating a home that is safe, serviceable, and secure for you and your family. At Excellent Homes and Investment Ltd, we go beyond selling land, we help you invest in peace of mind, long-term value, and a place you’ll truly be proud to call home!
