Maina, J. J. and Haruna, Y. S. User input in the maintenance of Area III low-cost housing, ABU 46 Department of Architecture Seminar Series. 14 th November 2014 A PILOT STUDY ON USER INPUT IN THE MAINTENTANCE OF AREA III LOW-COST HOUSING ESTATE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY 1 Joy Joshua Maina and Yakubu Shinga Haruna, Department of Architecture, Ahmadu Bello University Correspondence email: jjmaina@abu.edu.ng Abstract Research on the maintenance of low-cost housing units in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria has largely focused on the documentation of defects and physical deterioration observed in such housing units. This rarely involves empirical input from housing residents better positioned to provide maintenance related data. This paper presents an attempt to bridge this gap using residents of Area III low-cost housing estate located on the main campus of ABU. The methodology involves descriptive analyses of responses from 27 respondents in a pilot survey to establish the prevalence of defects and ascertain factors influencing maintenance of the housing units. Results reveal that right to ownership, poor specification and environmental conditions most influence maintenance of the low-cost housing units. This implies further research on issues related to transfer of ownership of low-cost housing units such as policy effectiveness, gentrification, rise of gated communities and security in Nigeria. Specifically, architects and other design professionals need to pay closer attention to maintenance matters in design, material and construction specification of low-cost housing units. Keywords: Maintenance, low-cost housing, ABU 1.0 Introduction Government intervention in housing especially for the low-income group has mainly been achieved through institutionalized prototype units in Nigeria. This has been the focus of several studies assessing the achievements and lapses of such schemes across the country (Ikejiofor, 1999; FGN, 2006; Jinadu, 2007; Bala and Bustani, 2009; Ibem and Amole, 2010; Ademiluyi, 2010; Aduwo, 2011; Maina, 2013a; Maina and Adogbo, 2014). The studies examine housing delivery framework, housing finance and mortgage, land laws and acquisition, design and construction as well as building materials technology and management. Comparatively less research efforts have been paid maintenance problems for institutionalized low-cost housing in part because individuals in accordance with the current monetization policy by government have purchased a large number of such units across the country 2 . In spite of this development, many housing estates remain within the jurisdiction of government institutions such as ABU, Zaria. Maintenance research in this regard has largely documented and established defects and deteriorating physical conditions of housing units 1 This paper is an abridged version of a final year undergraduate terminal essay (2013/2014 session). 2 Shagari low-cost prototype units and similar schemes have, for instance been purchased in many States of the Federation, some in owner-occupier transactions. This has given rise to a form of gentrification in many areas.