Rising Rent Prices in Onitsha: A Growing Crisis for Families Struggling to Afford Accommodation

 

Rising Housing Costs in Onitsha Cause Widespread Hardship for Families

The ever-increasing cost of living in Nigeria is severely impacting every aspect of daily life, and one of the most significant consequences is the surge in housing prices. In the bustling commercial city of Onitsha, accommodation has become a financial burden for many residents, making it increasingly difficult for families to secure decent homes.

A recent survey conducted by Correspondent Blessing Ijedibia reveals a disturbing trend that highlights the inability of many Onitsha residents to afford basic shelter. A standard three-bedroom apartment in the city, often located in older buildings, is now priced at a minimum of six hundred thousand naira annually. In comparison, newer apartments in the same area start at over one million naira per year. These escalating prices are putting a significant strain on families who are already grappling with the effects of high inflation and rising costs of goods and services.

For many, the prospect of paying such steep rents has become a nightmare. In a city where a large percentage of the population relies on modest incomes, such exorbitant rental costs are now out of reach. Many families are finding themselves trapped in a cycle of financial instability, unable to meet both the demands of their housing needs and other essential expenses like food, education, and healthcare.

The increase in housing prices has sparked a wave of frustration among residents, many of whom are struggling to keep up with the rapidly rising rents. Mrs. Mary Orji, a long-time resident of Onitsha, expressed her dismay over the situation, highlighting the difficulty her family faces in meeting both the rising cost of housing and the everyday needs of life. She lamented that, due to the skyrocketing cost of rent, families are forced to prioritize paying for their homes over other basic necessities such as food, healthcare, and children's education.

"My family can barely afford to take care of our children’s school fees, let alone pay for rent. The government should step in and do something before this situation worsens," Mrs. Orji said, her voice filled with frustration.

Architect Daniel Ezeh, a local builder, weighed in on the issue, identifying the role of middlemen, particularly estate agents, as a significant factor contributing to the increase in house rents. According to Ezeh, while landlords typically set a price for rent, many agents charge inflated fees, often above the agreed-upon amount, which exacerbates the already high cost of housing. This unethical practice by agents has caused a ripple effect, making accommodation even more expensive for families.

"The agents are a major factor in the rising cost of rent. They take advantage of the situation and increase the price of houses far beyond what the landlord has stipulated. This makes it difficult for families who are struggling to make ends meet," Ezeh explained.

Many residents feel the absence of a regulatory framework to keep house prices in check. With no clear mechanism in place to monitor and control the actions of estate agents or landlords, the price of accommodation continues to spiral out of control, leading to widespread hardship.

This dire situation has led to increasing calls from the public for government intervention at all levels. Residents of Onitsha, along with advocates for affordable housing, have urged both state and federal authorities to take immediate steps to regulate the housing market, ensure transparency in the actions of estate agents, and provide support for low-income families.

In the face of these mounting challenges, the need for government action has never been more urgent. The price of housing is no longer just a matter of inconvenience—it is a matter of survival for many families in Onitsha. With the current trend, the dream of owning or even renting a decent home seems to be slipping further out of reach for the average Nigerian citizen.

If immediate steps are not taken to address the issue, it is feared that the housing crisis in Onitsha will deepen, leaving even more families vulnerable. As the demand for affordable housing grows, so too does the call for intervention, with residents, builders, and housing advocates alike urging policymakers to take swift and effective action to ease the burden of high rent prices in the city.

The escalating cost of accommodation in Onitsha serves as a stark reminder of the broader economic challenges facing Nigeria today. It underscores the need for long-term solutions that will not only address the issue of high rents but also provide a sustainable path to affordable housing for all. Without such measures, the gap between the haves and the have-nots in Nigeria will continue to widen, further exacerbating the struggles of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.