PetitHaus

How Does Co-Ownership Work? & Why Land? At PetitHaus, we’re tackling the problems of cost of land and title ownership with our LAND-POOL model. This simple tool allows individuals to access land in sizes that fit their budget by sharing ownership with others in equal fractions thay allow them reduce the cost of acquisition, documentattion and development. For example, you could own a N300m plot of land in Lekki with N60m by sharing all the involved costs equally with 4 others people. How It Works: - Land-Pooling: Potential homeowners come together to collectively own a piece of land equally, each person taking a fraction they can afford. - Shared Ownership: They each own a part of the property according to their budget, ensuring inclusivity through flexible and scalable financial possibilities. - Technology: Ensures trust, transparency, and convenience, protecting homeowners from fraud and other property acquisition hassles. Benefits: Affordability, Reduced Risk, Collective Strength, Flexibility & Scalability, Community Building, and Sustainability. Why It Matters: The Co-Ownership System makes homeownership a reality for many Nigerians, building stronger and more resilient communities. Want to learn more about this and other creative ways that we can exploreee to make property and/or homewnership affordable even in the face of current economic realities? Read our post: https://lnkd.in/enDj7iUk Or if you'd like to understand our thesis for solving affordable housing, check out: https://lnkd.in/eejSWMvK #PetitHaus #AffordableHousing #CoOwnership #SustainableLiving #CommunityBuilding

7 Reasons Nigerians Avoid Building with Wood – and Solutions for Change Despite Nigeria’s rich timber resources, wood remains an underutilized building material. The reasons are multifaceted, involving cultural norms, environmental challenges, economic issues, and government policies. Cultural Preferences: Traditionally, many Nigerians preferred mud and thatch, and now, concrete is synonymous with modernity and status. Wood is often perceived as temporary or less prestigious. Climate and Durability: High moisture levels in the south lead to wood rot and termite damage, discouraging its use. Safety Concerns: Wood is flammable, and advanced fire-resistant treatments are not yet common in Nigeria. Economic Challenges: A tangible fraction of our timber is exported, driving up costs for local processed wood and making concrete more affordable...what an irony. Skilled Labor Shortage: Few Nigerian builders are trained in modern timber construction techniques. (remember this post: https://lnkd.in/ep2SSg4R ) Environmental Management: Deforestation and a lack of sustainable forestry practices create a paradox of timber abundance and scarcity. Regulatory Barriers: Building codes favor concrete and steel, limiting wood’s viability. Possbile Solutions for Affordable Homeownership with Timber To address these challenges, Nigeria could adopt sustainable wood production practices, invest in local processing facilities, and promote educational programs to build expertise in timber construction. A shift in policies and public perception is needed to position wood as a durable, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative in the construction industry, helping to bridge the gap in affordable housing and promote more eco-friendly construction practices in Nigeria. Interested in the full post? Read here: https://lnkd.in/grf9pxXy

It takes less than 2 minutes to know if our solution fits your need. Visit: www.petithaus.com to learn more. Our solution will help you overcome the starting costs of land/title acquisition using the Co-ownership model. A method of joint property ownership, that helps us: - Get the best with what we have. - Start small. - Unlock stability and independence that comes with homeownership Co-ownership means you can simply join a small group of between 4 to 6 people, to jointly buy a plot of land, share all the costs in equal fractions, while retaining equal rights to the title/ownership.

Often times, people get confused when I tell them that what we're building is not a product. And I get, the confusion comes from the fact that we're developing an app, and even asking peope to join the waiting list for our offerings. However, as I would go on to tell anyone curious enough to as what I mean: "Of course, we are developing an app, what we're building however, is not a product, but a system. A new way of doing things." Building a product comes with innovation, at least, I suppose. And what we are doing isn't "innovating", we are simply making a practice (or method) that already exists common and readily available. Helping people leverage Land/Title co-ownership as the stepping stone for creating the quality of life that they desire through affordable homeownership. Co-ownership has been in exisence for longer than I've existed, it's a common practice that many people have used without any "feferity", so, it's not some big, fancy "eureka" idea. And this is why it's very interesting, that something so simple and effective isn't as readily adopted by the people. The system, law, even planning regulation, understands and makes provisions for mulitple parties to own a single piece of title, land or property. So how could it be that many people, especially within the middle and low-income class, are not leveraging this practice? Could it be due to lack of information, lack of trust, or simply, fear of the unknown? Well, these and other questions are what we seek to understand and find answers to at PetitHaus. We take each day as an opportunity to change the past, to recreate the future while making today better. And anyone, even everyone can do this by themselves, anywhere, and on any budget. Visit www.petithaus.com to check out and understand what we're doing to make affordable housing and homeownership accessible to all.

NEEDS YOUR HOME SHOULD MEET What makes up your checklist when planning for a new home? Finding the perfect home goes beyond just a roof over your head. Here are four essential needs that your dream home should meet in this order: 1. Comfort Your home should be a sanctuary, offering a comfortable environment where you can relax and unwind. This includes everything from cozy living spaces to climate control that keeps you comfortable year-round. 2. Quality & Affordability High-quality construction and materials are crucial for a home that will last and require minimal maintenance. At the same time, it should be financially accessible, providing excellent value without stretching your budget too thin. 3. Taste Your home should reflect your personal style and taste. From architectural design to interior décor, a home that aligns with your aesthetic preferences enhances your daily living experience and makes your space truly yours. 4. Sustainable Growth Ensure that your home is designed and built with sustainability in mind, promoting eco-friendly living and energy efficiency. A sustainable home does not only reduce environmental impact but offers long-term savings on utilities and maintenance. When does cost matter? Read here: https://lnkd.in/exCqeVMb When looking for a new home, ensure to check all the boxes that make for a happy and fulfilling living experience. You can read the original article here: https://lnkd.in/e8yDPD53 What did we miss out? We'd love to hear from you.

Affordable Housing; Beyond Cost Price. When planning to build on a tight budget, it's important to pay attention (at the onset) to the long-term benefits and/or potentials the home and the investment you're making would yeild. What then, is the true value of a Home? A home's value goes beyond its price to finding a balance between certain elements. When these elements align, a home becomes not just a place to live, but a valuable asset that enhances your life in countless ways. These include (but not limited to): - Use value (how well it meets your needs), - Delight value (the joy it brings), - Investment value (its potential to appreciate), - Lifestyle value (how it supports your daily life), and - Cost value (what you get for what you pay). Finding the right balance between these factors ensures that your home is truly valuable in every sense. As you plan/invest in your dream home, focus on more than just the cost— and think of the full spectrum of values it could/would bring. Continue reading here...https://lnkd.in/exCqeVMb When in doubt, talk to a professional. Having an architect (at least) in your corner could be your silver bullet.

These are the 3 Selfish Interests That Matter. They're why we DON'T follow the typical “Build-and-Sell” approach for low-cost housing. Let's dive in. 1. Subjectivity: Na only you sabi your account balance. How much each person can afford for housing varies, and what is ‘Affordable’ for Mr A. may be ‘cut-throat’ for Mr B. We let you dictate/determine your needs and choose your goals as they fit your “level & akant balance”. 2. Flexibility: Just like school uniforms, though worn by every student, are specifically tailored to fit each student's measurement. We empower you to create bespoke homes, whether big or small, just as it suits your style, and is specifically tailored to your needs and priorities. 3. Authority:   From 0-100% involvement in the stages and ownership of the prcess, you can choose your preferred level of participation. We encourage and incorporate iteration, such that you can decide, pr review what features you need, and where/when you need them. You control, customize, and build your property your own way and at your own pace. What informed our approach? Well, we reviewed a handful of low-cost housing schemes within cities and high-density zones and observed that: - They were not as successful as in towns and low-density zones where residents/owners had more land space to upgrade and/or expand. - Where they succeeded, (i.e. not “hijacked”, but truly occupied by low-income earners), most units have gone through a series of upgrades and retrofits. - In cases where possibilities of upgrade and/or expansion are limited, e.g. barracks, they’ve become dilapidated or overtaken by slum. We learnt that the most sustainable way to create low-cost housing is by enabling and engaging individual participation. Of course, this can be incorporated into the traditional ‘Build-and -Sell” method, but as Yoruba people say: “It is from the small part that we commence the eating of moi-moi”. We've decided to take it ‘small-small’, embrace the lessons and improve as it unfolds.

It seems I came late to the party, but what becomes clearer with each day is.... Though each one of us honestly just picks one goal, one pain/problem and one (quick) fix believing we can really effect change. Of course, any progress is progress...but all our problems are interwoven into "dysfunctional system(s)" And looking at the individual agenda for sdg11, you will be tempted to think all you need to fix it is solving sdg 1. But beyond that, we must come together as "helping others is helping ourselves". For example...solving the housing crisis will NOT happen until we solve SDGs 8&9 (Decent work and economic growth, & production, innovation and industrialization), which will also give us a headstart with SDGs 1&2 I think it's time we all come together to stop all 'quick fixes' and look to rebuild a new system where everything works.

In discussions about affordable housing, we often overlook one of the most pressing challenges: the sharp decline in skilled labor within construction. While funding, access to land, documentation, and economic factors take the spotlight, a lack of trained artisans—plumbers, masons, electricians—is threatening the future of sustainable, affordable housing. This issue is compounded by migration trends like “Japa,” as seasoned professionals leave and fewer young people pursue these trades. But revitalizing these essential skills can turn this challenge into an opportunity. How then can we turn this around? Let's look into… 7 Actionable Steps to Revitalize Skilled Labor in Affordable Housing: 1- Revitalize Technical and Vocational Education: Start introducing hands-on skills early, from primary school to university. This education should reflect market demands and focus on creating trade pathways. 2- Expand Training Programs and Apprenticeships: Look to traditional apprenticeship models, such as the “Igbo apprenticeship system,” as effective methods to engage young people in trades. This model can help keep skills alive and passed on. 3- Promote Skilled Trades as Career Paths: Public campaigns and partnerships can highlight trades as prosperous careers, challenging misconceptions of skilled work as “lesser” options. 4- Retention Programs to Combat “Japa”: Offering competitive salaries, clear career progression, and improved work-life quality could help retain talent and keep skilled workers from seeking opportunities abroad. 5- Public-Private Partnerships for Local Training: Through these partnerships… for more  on why technical skills are dwindling, impact of the decline on affordable housing, why this conversation matters, and how to reinvent perceptions around skilled work, read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/ep2SSg4R

They say: "when consulting the oracle on behalf of the deaf, you make sure it sounds hard and loud". This week had me learning and thinking more about systems and how by solving one problem, we can solve others. I recently read the story of Finland’s struggle and victory with homelessness. How they made a conscious decision to prioritize housing as a critical part of social development, and that, housing wasn’t something you earned, but something everyone deserves. In 2008, the country initiated a 'Housing First' program or initiative (for better representation), which was built on 4 principles (that aligns with my 'bias' and even changes how I see this "housing crisis" palava): - Everyone is entitled to a settled place to live, regardless of circumstance, reversing traditional homeless aid approaches. - Respect for choice and autonomy of individuals to select treatments and services. - Creating trust-based relationship for empowerment. - Support community integration of people. They began converting shelters into permanent housing units and simultaneously integrated support services like healthcare, addiction treatment (because they had a drug abuse epidemic that exacerbated the crisis), and employment assistance. The logic is simple yet profound: give people a home first, then everything else can follow—whether it's stability, education, independence, sobriety, employment, or mental health...et.c. A complete ecosystem, that recognizes that people don’t just need a home, they need support to 'stay housed'. They’ve managed to eliminate visible homelessness by committing to building affordable homes, providing support services, while simultaneously addressing the root causes of homelessness. Remember they didn't go about this making "shelters", they built real homes. Decent abodes where their people could feel safe, private, build routines, and begin to stabilize their lives. They understood that housing was foundational. And it worked. It was reported that the country reduced homelessness by 50% just focusing on this. This made we wonder: "Why can’t we apply this kind of thinking more broadly?" The lesson from Finland is clear: housing is a foundation for tackling poverty and social inequality. And this shows that when we put people first, even in the face of complex issues, we can find practical solutions that transform lives. I realized how we often complicate solutions to obvious problems...like, we need to fix a hundred things before we can help someone. But what if we just start with one basic thing; a home, and let the rest unfold from there? The way I see it, there’s something profoundly human about ensuring that everyone gets a home. It signifies dignity, safety, and belonging. So, here goes; what if housing is that one problem, that when solved can unlock solutions to thousands more?