By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has called upon the private sector, local businesses, and development partners to join forces in unlocking land, mobilising resources, and building more homes.
The Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele made the call during the official handover of 56 affordable houses under the Oranjemund Town Council Social Housing Programme.
The Oranjemund Town Council has invested over N$6 million in the housing project.
!Nawases-Taeyele promised that her Ministry will be implementing policies and programmes that will make housing more affordable and accessible, particularly for low and middle-income earners.
She, however, acknowledged that said implementation would not be possible without private sector efforts.
“But the government cannot do it alone. We thus call on the private sector, local businesses, and development partners to join forces with us in unlocking land, mobilising resources, and building more homes,” she stated.
!Nawases-Taeyele emphasised that accommodation remains a major issue in most of the local authorities, let alone the town of Oranjemund. Thus, it is the collective responsibility of both private and public sectors to play their part in developing towns, particularly in the provision of housing and related infrastructure.
“By joining hands with Council and Government, the private sector can unlock Oranjemund’s potential, attract investment, and ensure that every resident has access to decent as well as affordable shelter,” she said.
!Nawases-Taeyele noted that the recipients are now property owners and highlighted the importance of safeguarding their future.
The 56 homes were allocated under a rent-to-buy agreement, a new model for acquiring houses.
The deputy minister urged the new homeowners to make it their personal priority to honour their monthly repayment, maintain the properties, and comply with the conditions of this programme.
Namibia is battling a housing backlog due to various factors, such as land servicing and affordability at low housing segments.
The backlog is estimated at above N$70 billion and is expected to have gone up with new urbanisation statistics and population growth as presented by the new census.
The deputy minister said her ministry recognises and is aware of the challenges that many towns and village councils are faced with, such as limited land, rising construction costs, rapid urbanisation, and competing financial demands.
Quoting the Oranjemund Town’s N$6 million investment in their housing project, she said the country can achieve anything when government, communities, and development partners work collectively.
“I therefore wish to commend the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, the Council, and all stakeholders involved for making this vision a reality,” she lauded.
!Nawases-Taeyele also used the opportunity to highlight her ministry’s concern about the power struggle and disunity within several local authorities, with councillors often having disagreements and placing the interests of their political affiliations at the forefront.
She urges all local authorities’ councillors and the community alike to strive towards a united force that stands for a greater purpose of development.
!Nawases-Taeyele has also assured the ministry’s continued support for the work of community-based organisations such as the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, Development Workshop Namibia, and others with the ability to contribute to the national drive to provide affordable housing and adequate sanitation.
Under the newly-launched sixth National Development Plan (NDP 6), the government has identified housing and land delivery as critical pillars in addressing urbanisation challenges, reducing inequalities, and uplifting the living standards of citizens.
Also, the revised 2023 National Housing Policy provides for accelerated land servicing, housing for various income categories/typologies, as well as the upgrading of informal settlements, which will include spatial planning, land servicing, and housing support, including subsidies. erastus@thevillager.com.na
