Arctic Infrastructure and the Heinrich Böll Foundation have proposed mixed-income housing as the solution to the increasingly growing housing crisis in Lagos.
Proposing the solution at an event to review the draft bill on mixed-income housing in Lagos, Mr. Ayotunde Akomolafe the project officer for the mixed-income housing project with Arctic Infrastructure, explained that the growing cost of renting and owning houses in Lagos has made it almost impossible for moderate and low-income earners to buy or rent a decent accommodation in Lagos.
He identified mixed-income housing as one of the pillars of a socially inclusive strategy towards affordable and decent housing for all in Lagos.
Mr Akomolafe further disclosed that a draft bill has been developed to put such a mixed-income housing model into law in Lagos.
The project officer revealed that a campaign was underway to create awareness for the draft bill, to seek contributions and ideas from the public, and to finally introduce it to the Lagos State House of Assembly for deliberation.
He explained that, “the mixed housing plan will mandate private developers to allocate at least 15 per cent of their housing units to moderate and low-income earners in organised trade associations or housing cooperatives.”
AI and HBS disclosed that the mixed-housing plan would give special preference to single mothers, widows, and Persons with Disabilities.
The project will also mandate developers and the government to ensure that public amenities like primary schools, healthcare clinics, or open fresh-food markets are within walking distance from the estate.