PROJECT PLANNING MANAGEMENT PRACTICE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF LOW COST HOUSING PROJECTS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Housing plays a huge role in revitalizing economic growth in any country, with shelter being among key indicators of development. Under the vision 2030, the government has committed to provide adequate, and quality housing for all citizens, particularly the low- income groups. The government has therefore incentivized developers to move down market by offering, among other things, tax breaks for housing units that cost less than KES 1.6 million (USD, 18,000). And with the inclusion of the right to adequate housing in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, understanding how to provide affordable housing has become a priority. It is estimated that the current housing deficit stands at 2 million houses with nearly 61% of urban households living in slums. The study employed a descriptive research design, targeting the 152 project managers. The National Housing Corporation website has a listing of all the 152 low-cost housing projects. As a rule of thumb if the total population is less than 200, census is used. The researcher used this method because it allows an in-depth study of the subject. Data was collected using questionnaires. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Quantitative data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The qualitative data generated was analyzed by use of Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS). The study concludes that project cost management has a positive and significant effect on the implementation of low cost housing projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya. In addition, the study concludes that project stakeholder involvement has a positive and significant effect on the implementation of low cost housing projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya. This study therefore recommends that project managers should ensure effective cost estimating, cost budgeting and cost control. In addition, the study recommends that project managers should ensure effective stakeholder identification, needs analysis and stakeholder engagement methods.