# Lagos housing affordability and rental crisis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/lagos-housing-affordability-and-rental-crisis > Updated: 2026-09-07T06:59:30.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has advised young professionals facing high rental costs to live with parents, relatives, or roommates rather than renting unaffordable apartments. Hamzat recommended that residents keep rent expenses below 40 per cent of their total income and advocated for the use of mortgage financing through the Lagos mortgage board to improve long-term accessibility. Following these remarks, public debate has emerged regarding the practicality and sensitivity of the advice. The discussion occurs against a backdrop of significant housing inflation in Nigeria; data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicated that annual rent inflation rose from 14.79 per cent in June 2026 to 33.74 per cent in July 2026. In Lagos specifically, some annual rents have reportedly increased from ₦500,000 to ₦2.5 million over a two-year period. This economic pressure is also prompting discussions about migrating to satellite towns, despite the potential for increased commuting costs. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-07: Lagos housing crisis: Deputy Governor advises young workers to live with relatives Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat advised young workers to live with relatives to cope with soaring rent inflation, which hit 33.74 per cent in July 2026, sparking intense public debate. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lagos-housing-crisis-deputy-governor-advises-young-workers-to-live-with-relatives ### 2026-08-21: Lagos Deputy Governor advises young workers on rental costs Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has advised young workers to live with relatives or share housing to manage rising rents, suggesting rent should not exceed 40 per cent of monthly income. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lagos-deputy-governor-advises-young-workers-on-rental-costs --- Cite as: Lagos housing affordability and rental crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/lagos-housing-affordability-and-rental-crisis