QUALITY CHALLENGES OF LOW COST HOUSING: THE CASE OF ADDIS ABABA 20/80 CONDOMINIUM HOUSING

Abstract

Quality is a fundamental aspect in the condominium housing to enable livable and sustainable environments for dwellers. Hence, the aim of the study is to assess quality challenge of low cost housing specific to 20/80 condominium housing, focusing on the major role player SMEs and small contractors, through three research questions; major quality defect of low cost housing, assessing quality standard guidelines for low cost housing, and on endeavor that the Addis Ababa Housing Development Project Office in order to get better the quality of 20/80 condominium housing. The methodology employed is descriptive type of research, where the sources of the data are both primary and secondary data from the study area of Kilinto and Bole Arabsa 20/80 condominium site found in Akaki Kality and Bole sub-city respectively. The major role player on quality of housing is Addis Ababa development project office, SMEs, contractors and consultants. The most common defects are those related to sanitary and electrical fixtures, door & window handles, door & window broken glass, fragmented floor and wall. There is low cost housing quality standard guideline for 20/80 condominium housing projects but most participant of the project have no information about its existence. The capacity building program by Addis Ababa Housing Development Project Office is overlook quality of housing. Addis Ababa Housing Development Project Office structure is not proper for checking and rechecking of quality of housing the project awarding system for contractors, and Micro and Small Enterprises are not considering quality of housing. Addis Ababa Housing Development Project Office is better to include quality of housing one of its objectives.