Impact of Sustainable Buildings on Housing Development in Ghana

Ghana, like many other developing countries, is facing significant population growth and urbanization, resulting in a high demand for housing, particularly in urban areas. However, the supply of affordable housing has not kept up with this demand, leading to a housing crisis characterized by overcrowding, informal settlements, and inadequate living conditions. This paper focuses on the impact of sustainable buildings on housing development in Ghana, specifically in high-end markets. It examines various factors influencing the construction of sustainable and affordable housing, such as high capital costs, increasing building materials expenses, power supply availability, and rental costs. The study suggests the development of a housing sustainability model and the implementation of stricter sustainability requirements in project design and construction. Additionally, it recommends the use of cost-effective building materials to reduce operating costs in affordable housing projects. The study employed a purposive sampling technique and administered questionnaires, achieving an 80% response rate. Data analysis was conducted using statistical tools such as SPSS and Microsoft Excel, uncovering that the key challenge in affordable housing is the high cost of capital, emphasizing the need for cost-reduction strategies. The study underscores the importance of integrating sustainability into affordable housing construction to meet the growing demand and establish a stable housing market.