By David Onwuchekwa
Across Anambra State today, one of the loudest unspoken cries is not for food, not for clothing, but for shelter, a basic human necessity that has become painfully out of reach for many ordinary citizens.
The escalating cost of rent has pushed countless families to the edge, leaving workers, traders and young graduates struggling just to keep a roof over their heads.
This is why the recent move by the Anambra State Government to confront the high rent crisis deserves genuine commendation.
Governor Charles Soludo’s administration has taken a bold step by launching an ambitious housing initiative aimed at constructing 10,000 low-cost homes for civil servants and low-income earners in Isiagu, Awka South. Through a Public-Private Partnership, the project promises not just buildings, but hope, hope for families who have endured years of ruthless rent hikes and exploitation.
For once, the State is saying: “Shelter should not be a luxury.”
But as encouraging as this is, the need goes far beyond Awka. The harsh reality remains that cities like Nnewi, Onitsha and Ekwulobia are choking under the weight of exorbitant rent.
A single room in some parts of these urban centres now costs more than what many workers earn in a month. Tenants are pushed out overnight, families are displaced, and young people are discouraged from pursuing their dreams simply because the cost of accommodation is unbearable.
Real estate developers, on their part, have become more interested in selling land than actually developing homes. It is refreshing that government has warned that such practices will attract sanctions. This signals a new era where housing developers must prioritize people over profit.
Even more telling is the alarm raised by the Justice, Development, Peace and Caritas (JDPC), calling for a law to regulate the excesses of landlords and agents. Their concerns echo the lived experiences of countless residents who face arbitrary rent increments, hidden charges, and blatant extortion, all in the name of “business.”
Yes, building materials are expensive. Yes, taxation is high. Landlords can make all the excuses they want. But real estate is not a quick-profit venture. It is a long-term investment, and profit should not come at the cost of human suffering.
Today, the suffering of tenants in Anambra is palpable. Parents silently cry as they struggle to pay rent and still put food on the table.
Youths postpone their dreams because they cannot afford accommodation close to their workplaces or universities. Widows, petty traders and low-income earners are constantly at the mercy of agents who see them as nothing more than targets.
As we approach the year 2026, one thing is clear: the time for action is now.
The Anambra State House of Assembly must expedite legislation to protect tenants from exploitation. Government must extend low-cost housing projects to all major urban centres. And landlords must remember that humanity must come before profit.
Governor Soludo, the people are watching. The poor are gasping for breath.
This is the moment to do something, and be remembered as the leader who restored dignity to housing in Anambra State.
Let the poor breathe.
Let families breathe.
Let Anambra breathe.
