The culture of maintenance of public housing units in a less urbanised town in Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the conditions of public housing units in a less urbanised town in Ghana and predict the culture of maintenance among occupants of these housing units. Data used in the study were obtained from 101 households, which were supplemented by data from officials of the Estate Departments of four institutions. The results indicate that the conditions of the housing units were generally poor due mainly to occupants’ inappropriate culture of maintenance. The factors that could significantly predict the occupants’ culture of maintenance were: (a) rank/status of occupant, (b) age of housing unit and (c) occupant’s intention to build his/her own housing unit in a decade. The results show that the probability of an occupant of a housing unit, which is less than 10 years old, adopting appropriate maintenance practices, is 3.1 higher than one who occupied a housing unit that was more than 10 years. In a similar vein, the probability of a Senior Officer adopting an appropriate culture of maintenance is approximately 23 times that of a Junior Officer. Finally, the probability of an occupant who intended to own a housing unit within a decade adopting appropriate culture of maintenance is 0.3 times that of an occupant who did not. The study concludes that the continued relevance of public housing is hinged on appropriate maintenance culture by occupants. In this regard, authorities should make occupants of the public housing units take more responsibility for maintenance.