Rationalizing Critical Cost Overrun Factors on Public Sector Housing Programmes

The cost overrun phenomenon on projects worldwide creates a major source of risk that warrants investigation. prevailing factor school thought provides strong empirical evidence critical factors contributing to overruns are both context-specific and project-specific. Although many studies have been conducted identifying causes overruns, very few investigated root causes. Additionally, limited body knowledge is available within the context Small Island Development States (SIDS). To fill this gap, objectives study were identify determine main in public sector social housing programmes (PSSHPs). These selected thereafter categorized under leading causes, their severity was determined based primary stakeholders’ perspectives. One hundred twenty-three identified from literature, which forty-one extracted grouped four pilot survey relevant experts Trinidadian Jamaican construction sectors. refined formulated into questionnaire survey. five responses obtained professionals who had minimum years’ experience various phases delivery. these evaluated, ranked, using relative importance index (RII) approach. findings uncovered cause, political nature. top selection politically aligned contractors, intentional design inadequate contracts, project actors' deliberately underestimating costs, partisan management team, strategic misrepresentation. unique SIDS contribute reframe contemporary practices, focus mainly technical Finally, as existing solutions ineffective curbing PSSHPs, also inform policymakers prioritization, control, mitigation risks formulating effective governance mechanisms. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2022-06-03-016 Full Text: PDF