By: Julia Heita
The urban and rural development ministry handed over 40 housing units constructed by the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) in Okakarara on Monday.
The deputy minister of urban development, Nathalia /Goagoses, handed the houses built by the National Housing Enterprise (NHE).
/Goagoses said the government is aware of the housing backlog of more than 100 000 housing units.
“Today is a testimony that both the government and the private sector are responding to the call of housing delivery,” the deputy minister said.
She further said that the government wants to build 47,622 houses by 2030.
“It is also worth noting that the government through NHE is making efforts to fight the housing backlog and to ensure that there is an inclusive benefit to housing recipients.
“Even though the housing output we wish to see is far from what we are handing over here today, I strongly believe that many more houses were constructed and are being constructed by the private sector partners countrywide and may not have been accounted for at platforms,” she said.
/Goagoses said there had been a decline in the demand for housing, owing to loss of income by the citizenry, who lost their income because of retrenchment or business closure.
“These unprecedented cause and effect scenarios have only worsened our situation in housing delivery, the funds that could have been used for serving land has been redirected into saving lives, the businesses in the housing development industry could not purchase serviced land, leaving those who demanded houses in an unending dilemma.”
/Goagoses said regardless of the challenges; they have come to accept the visionary statement by President Hage Geingob, who declared the year 2021 as the ‘Year of Resilience’.
“I have visited various municipalities, town councils, village councils, and I am happy to report that all of them have made good progress inland servicing, preparing themselves to reduce the housing backlog,” she added.
During the handover, NHE Board chairperson Sam Shivute said accessibility to decent housing reduces stress and leads to improved mental health while also creating a conducive environment for parents to raise their children appropriately.
“As such, NHE recognises and is committed to creating healthy communities with the provision of affordable, well-designed houses for the growth and development of low to middle-income families that find it difficult and sometimes impossible to acquire houses constructed strictly by private developers,” he said.
