PURPOSE: This paper is expected to provide information on the factors indicating housing affordability levels of low income civil servants in Southwestern Nigeria.

DESIGN / METHODS: Desktop analysis of literature was employed to achieve the stated objective.

FINDINGS: The study provides an overview of various discussions on affordable housing among low income earners. The preliminary findings suggests that socioeconomic characteristics of low income civil servants, their housing choice and individual preferences are some of the factors that have significant influence on the affordability level

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: The paper explored the challenges confronting the provision of affordable housing for low income civil servants in Southwestern Nigeria.

ORIGINALITY: This study contributes to the increasing debate for affordable housing among low income civil servants.