FEDERAL INCOME EARNERS AND CONCERNS FOR QUALITY HOMES: AN EVALUATION FOR SUSTAINABLE HOUSING IN AKWA IBOM STATE

Purpose: The study evaluated home qualities and sustainability concerns, with a view to providing an insight into the importance of sustainability concerns on quality of homes occupied by federal income earners in Akwa Ibom state. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a cross-sectional survey design using structured questionnaire purposively administered on 208 households resulting in 193 valid responses. Data were analysed using descriptive, relative importance index and Kruskal Wallis tests. Findings: The study concluded that there were 45.5%, 50.0% and 72.7% significant home quality attributes among low, medium and high-income earners respectively. There were 76.2%, 71.4% and 66.7% significant housing sustainability concerns among low, medium and high income earners respectively, with minimal concerns attaining high level consideration. The study concluded that there is significant variation in the home qualities of the various income groups, but there is no significant difference in their housing sustainability concerns. Practical implication: The study recommends that the low and medium income earners should put more consideration on economic sustainability concerns so as to further enhance the quality of their homes, while the high-income earners should include social concerns together with improved concerns of environmental sustainability for enhanced housing development and maintenance. Originality/value: The study revealed the rate of importance of housing quality perceived by respondents as well as the moderate significance accorded the sustainability concerns, which have not significantly influenced home qualities among low and medium income earners. Keywords: Building maintenance; federal income earners; quality homes; sustainable housing; sustainability concerns.