The launch of the National Informal Settlement Upgrading Programme (ISUP) at Swakopmund last week marked the implementation of the project on a national scale, urban and rural minister Erastus Uutoni has said.
Uutoni addressed the delegates at the launch, highlighting the project’s success in Windhoek and its scaling up to benefit other towns through the collaboration of key partners.
“At inception, I tasked National Housing Enterprise (NHE), the City of Windhoek, and the Khomas Regional Council to join hands with the line ministry and devise measures to address the mushrooming of informal structures in Windhoek’s informal settlement areas, a collaboration that yielded immediate results following the delivery of more than 750 housing units. The continued success of the pilot project paved the way for considerations to roll out the project on a national scale, seeing that the housing challenge is one that is experienced in all our urban areas,” Uutoni said, adding, “NHE has been knocking on our door to seek the government’s blessing to engage various local authorities regarding this life-changing project. Today’s launch is a testament that the scarcity of affordable and decent housing can be addressed if we all work together for a common cause.”
For the project, Swakopmund Municipality has identified and availed 803 plots, with the first phase earmarked to develop 233 houses.
“This is certainly a timely intervention that comes at a time when most of our residents in areas such as DRC are yearning for decent houses. I therefore wish to commend both the NHE and the Municipality of Swakopmund for having prioritised this project to an extent that we are ready to start with construction. Equally, let me caution against situations where projects are brought to a standstill immediately after being launched. I am expecting a similar approach of dedication and hard work that you have dispensed in Windhoek to be replicated here so that our people can be housed as a matter of urgency,” Uutoni said.
He went on to say that the government, through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, will continue to invest in housing interventions with a realisation through deliberate and targeted interventions such as the National Housing Policy, the Harambee Prosperity Plan, National Development Goals (NDPs), and Vision 2030. The National Housing Policy, in particular, launched in July this year, is aligned to accelerate housing development to improve the living conditions for urban and rural residents and to increase access to housing.
“To this end, the government has availed resources to the tune of N$700 million for the 2024/2025 financial year to guarantee the smooth implementation of objectives outlined in the National Housing Policy. A huge chunk of this amount has since been geared towards the social progression pillar of the Harambee Prosperity Plan to aid incremental land servicing and the upgrading of informal settlements.”