Abstract

The challenges of unguided housing transformations without adherence to stipulated
guidelines in public housing estates has become a major concern amongst housing scholars in the
global South Countries. The need for households to obtain plan approvals before engaging in housing
transformation has been an important factor to consider. This study investigated the impact of
residents-initiated housing transformations in public housing estates in Owerri Capital Territory Imo
State Nigeria with the view to address the non-adherence to plan approval by households before making
physical changes to their housing. The study draws on data obtained through structured
questionnaires administered to 309 residents in the study area. The variables in focus are plan approval
and physical changes to the buildings of the public housing estates in the study area which were tested
using Chi-square correlation analysis tool and the result showed a significant correlation at p< 0.05.
The results of the findings showed a negative impact to the environment and housing quality, when
building plans are not approved before making physical changes to the buildings and housing
environment. It was therefore recommend that policy makers and stakeholders in housing provision
should explore more proactive and sustainable ways such as having out-post offices within the estates
and digitalized plan approval systems to discourage households from engaging in physical changes to
their buildings without obtaining approvals.