Civil and Environmental Research www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-5790 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0514 (Online) Vol.9, No.7, 2017 37 Assessment of Housing Quality in Urban Core of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria AWE, Foluso Charles Physical Planning Department, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria AFOLABI, Funso IsolaOwa. Department of Geography and Planning Science. Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Absract The study did a critical assessment of housing quality in the urban core of Ado-Ekiti, the State Capital of Ekiti State. Data for the work were collected from both primary and secondary sources. 300 questionnaires were distributed using random sampling technique for effective coverage of the entire urban core and 295 questionnaires were retrieved. Descriptive analysis method of data analysis was employed. The results from the study indicated that many of the building elements, such as roofs, doors, windows, walls, ceilings and floors were in deplorable conditions, the status of these elements make many of the buildings unqualified for human habitation. Therefore, the study recommends the need for building maintenance advocacy (BMA), the need for governmental policy for dilapidated/bad buildings to be renovated, sell or lease out, also, on the part of government there should be massive urban renewal and redevelopment within the urban core. Keywords: Condition, deplorable-housing, housing- quality and housing-status. 1.1 Introduction and Background to the Study Housing is defined in the National Housing Policy (2012) as the procedure of providing safe, attractive, functional, affordable, comfortable, and identifiable shelter in a proper setting within a neighbourhood, which is supported by regular and continuous maintenance of the built environment, for the daily living activities of individuals/families within the community while reflecting their socio-economic, cultural aspirations and preferences. Onibokun (1985a) reported that one of the most basic human needs that have a profound impact on general well-being of humans is housing. As a prerequisite for survival, housing only ranks in second to food. According to the definition given by the World Health Organization (WHO, 1961), housing is a residential environment that includes the physical structure that man uses for shelter, all necessary services, facilities, equipment, and devices needed or desired for the physical and mental health and social well-being of the family and individual. Housing encompasses far more than living space and shelter.Other definition of a house is that a building that functions as a home, ranging from simple dwellings such as rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes and the improvised shacks in shantytowns to complex, fixed structures of wood, brick, marble or other materials containing plumbing, ventilation and electrical systems (Wikipedia, 2016). A good and acceptable housing should consider the location of dwelling places as they relate to the various places of interaction. The physical appearance and the social reputation of the neighborhood are significant aspects of a good housing (Agabi and Odekunle, 2014).Onibokun (1990) stated that the major determinants of urban housing conditions in Nigeria are: i. The age of the dwelling ii. The types of building and the materials used in their construction, iii. The varieties and adequacy of facilities provided in dwellings, iv. The modes of handling various aspects of housing construction such as site preparation, laying of foundation, construction of walls and roofing. Jiboye,Ebong; Foster;UN-Habitant; and Gilberton et al(in Jiboye 2010) observed that in recent times, there has been a growing concern on the deteriorating state of housing in most urban area of the developing nations. Consequently, the need for a decent and adequate shelter has long been an issue requiring urgent global attention. Since shelter constitutes one of man’s basic needs, it does have a profound impact on the health, wellbeing, social attitudes and economic productivity of the individual. However, residential quality and the quality of life are two variables of the same equation. Thus, the quality of housing, being basically an important health element, affects the well-being of the people, their productivity, manner of living and the decencies of their lives. Significantly, good quality housing provides the foundation for stable communities and social inclusion. Good quality housing is therefore essential to planning. It does not only ensure the safety and dwelling of people, but promotes beauty, convenience and aesthetics in the overall built-up environment (Jiboye, 2010). Again, housing is more than a shelter;it is the totality of what makes a place habitable/liveable.Housing is the physical structure that provides accommodation for people, including other facilities that make the place habitable, the location, the road and the environment (Oluwaseyi, 2014). The definition of housing quality embraces many factors which include the physical condition of the building and other facilities and services that