Housing Deficit and Environmental Challenges in Enugu Urban

Deterioration in environmental quality has been the bane of most urban settlements in Nigeria. This study examined the role of housing deficit on environmental degradation. Survey research method was adopted in this work, and using the data collected on the respondents- perception on some identified environmental indicators, the level of degradation due to inadequate dwellings was measured and statistically tested. Three null hypotheses were tested using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). A positive relationship was identified. Housing deficit (HD) increased significantly as population (POP) increased (standardized coefficient = 0.169, pless than0.05). Increase in (HD) significantly increased environmental degradation (ENV), with standardized coefficient = 0.528, p less than 0.05. Furthermore as (POP) increased, a significant increase was observed in (ENV), with standardized coefficient = 0.147, pless than 0.05.32.6 % of the variance in (ENV) was accounted for by (POP) and (HD), while 2.9 % of the variance in (HD) was accounted for by (POP). For improved environmental quality, the government of Enugu State should develop a sustainable policy on provision of adequate housing for the ever growing population.