AHCN Calls for National Housing Delivery Framework, Dedicated Infrastructure Funds
Housing Corporations Seek National Framework to Accelerate Affordable Housing
The Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) has called for the establishment of a National Housing Delivery Framework and dedicated Housing Infrastructure Funds to strengthen affordable housing delivery and accelerate efforts to reduce Nigeria's housing deficit.
The recommendations formed part of a communiqué issued at the end of the association's National Workshop on Affordable Housing Solutions for Low-Income Earners in Emerging Real Estate Markets and its 49th Annual General Meeting held in Calabar, Cross River State. According to the association, a coordinated national framework is needed to improve collaboration among governments, housing corporations, financial institutions and development partners responsible for housing deliver
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A Coordinated Framework for Affordable Housing
AHCN argued that Nigeria's growing housing shortage requires a more structured national approach capable of aligning housing policy, financing, land development and infrastructure investment.
The association said dedicated Housing Infrastructure Funds would help finance essential infrastructure including roads, drainage, electricity and water supply that often accounts for a significant share of housing development costs. Improving infrastructure financing, it noted, would support large-scale affordable housing projects and reduce the financial burden on developers.
Expanding Access to Housing Finance
The association also urged banks and multilateral development institutions to design financing frameworks tailored to the operational realities of state housing corporations.
AHCN criticised existing financing conditions, particularly the requirement for sovereign or commercial bank guarantees, describing them as major barriers to accessing long-term capital for affordable housing projects. It argued that more flexible financing structures would enable housing corporations to undertake larger-scale residential developments targeted at low- and middle-income households.
The association welcomed efforts by Shelter Afrique Development Bank to create collaborative financing arrangements involving housing corporations, developers, financial institutions and government agencies. It also encouraged stronger collaboration among the Family Homes Fund, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF) to mobilise long-term finance and strengthen mortgage origination.
Promoting Local Building Materials
AHCN expressed concern over the construction sector's continued reliance on imported conventional building materials, warning that inflation and foreign exchange volatility have increased construction costs and worsened housing affordability.
The association encouraged greater adoption of alternative building materials developed by the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), arguing that increased use of locally manufactured materials could lower construction costs, strengthen domestic supply chains and improve access to affordable housing. It also advocated wider adoption of industrialised building methods, including prefabricated housing, precast concrete systems and modular construction technologies to improve efficiency and accelerate project delivery.
Strengthening State Housing Corporations
AHCN also called on state governments to revitalise their housing corporations through institutional reforms, arguing that many have lost capacity after years of underinvestment and administrative restructuring.
The association cautioned against merging housing corporations with ministries responsible for housing or lands, stating that such arrangements weaken their statutory responsibilities and reduce their ability to deliver affordable housing programmes effectively.
Industry Implications
The recommendations reinforce several issues that continue to shape Nigeria's housing sector, including access to long-term finance, infrastructure deficits, institutional capacity and construction costs.
A nationally coordinated housing delivery framework could improve policy alignment across federal and state institutions while dedicated infrastructure funding would help address one of the biggest cost drivers affecting residential development. Greater collaboration between housing institutions, financial organisations and development partners could also improve mortgage availability and support larger-scale affordable housing delivery.
Outlook
AHCN's recommendations highlight the need for a more coordinated approach to affordable housing delivery in Nigeria. While implementation will depend on government policy decisions and stakeholder collaboration, the proposals provide a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening housing finance, infrastructure investment, institutional capacity and construction efficiency. If adopted, the measures could improve the long-term sustainability of affordable housing programmes and support efforts to narrow Nigeria's housing deficit.
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