Rural and urban development minister, Erastus Uutoni has pleaded with local authorities to avail affordable land to the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) so that the parastatal can continue to deliver affordable housing across the country.
Last week, NHE handed over 33 houses at Tsandi to beneficiaries. The successful completion of the project was a result of a partnership between NHE, and Kambwa Trading CC, to develop the land that was obtained from Tsandi Village Council.
“As a Ministry responsible for the provision of Housing, we are supportive of every initiative that delivers houses that our people can afford, especially those within the low to ultra-law income bracket. We are aware of the realities such as the increasing cost of constructing houses, due to the cost of materials, transportation costs and all other related costs. These factors that are beyond our control and have made it quite challenging to maintain the selling prices of houses at the lowest we wish to keep them.
“It is for this reason that I continue pleading with local authorities to offer land to the NHE at the lowest prices possible, so that there is a bit of a reduction in the input cost, and subsequently better selling price. This is why in this whole process, as stakeholders being the National Housing Enterprise, the Local Authority, and the Contractors that we bring on board, to all work with a common purpose of delivering quality but affordable homes to our people,” Uutoni said.
He reiterated that he was aware of the cost of houses falling out of reach of many people and that those in the category of middle to low income are really struggling to access affordable housing.
“There is clearly something that the local authorities this side are doing right in working together with the National Housing Enterprise. Just last year in October we handed over 81 houses in Outapi. Last month, I also learned while I was in Okahao that the 70 houses project in Okahao will soon be completed. Clearly the teams here are very dedicated to make the provision of housing a reality which make me happy to always come here and witness the results of our collective efforts. I thus appreciate and applaud the fact that you are putting in the time and effort as we drive the housing agenda of our government,” added Uutoni adding that he continuously keeps calling on role players to bring their part on board.
“It is only when the land is reasonably priced by local authorities that lower income groups will subsequently be able to afford houses constructed by the NHE. Everyone emerges a winner when things are done this way and the existence of these houses provides the municipality to generate revenue from rates and taxes every month for a lifetime. I keep saying we should not forget that both the NHE and Local Authorities are part of the same government, serving the same people, striving to achieve the same thing.
“Therefore, if we collaborate well, our people will benefit, we will make a lasting impact in the provision of housing to the Namibian people. The 33 houses we are handing over today might be a small number, but for the small community of Tsandi, they mean a lot. There are 33 families of this community that will from now on tick off a very important item from their list of basic needs, as they now have a decent shelter to call their own for generation to come,” he said.
NHE currently has projects in Okahao (70) Outapi (26), Ondangwa (24), Omuthiya (50), Gobabis (65) and in Windhoek, the informal settlement upgrading program is underway.
“Today, we witness the handing over 33 completed houses, 33 families lives changed forever. The market trends have changed, and we want to accommodate everyone who walks into our doors seeking a roof over their heads. This calls for the realigning of NHE’s housing delivery strategies to the realities on the ground,” NHE Board Chairperson, Toska Sem said at the Tsandi handover last week.
“The total value of this housing project is costed at N$10 million. The execution of housing programmes provide not only the houses but also much needed relief in terms of job opportunities and business development for the residents. I am informed that about 100 local jobs were created as part of this project and this is testament to our philosophy of giving back to the societies that we operate in,” Sem further said.