Story by John Nhandara
GOVERNMENT is forging partnerships with financial institutions and private players to provide affordable housing and clear the existing backlog.
The National Building Society (NBS) has developed over 700 housing stands in Harare’s Glaudina suburb in its quest to complement government efforts to clear the housing backlog, which stands at over a million.
Government officials this Wednesday, toured part of the project, which comprises nine blocks of flats that will accommodate over 200 families.
“We must ensure accessible and affordable houses meet the financial realities of our people, financing models that reduce the burden on our citizens. We need mortgage subsidy programmes tailored for low-income earners,” Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring and Implementation of Government Programmes and Projects, Dr Joram Gumbo said.
“We need to explore housing technologies that reduce construction cost while maintaining the quality of our houses,” Harare Metropolitan Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Charles Tawengwa added.
The project, which will be completed next month has been cited as a solution to the housing and spatial planning challenges as it caters for the low to middle-income demographic.
NBS chief housing and mortgage officer, Engineer Robert Mukome said, “The first phase is almost complete and will accommodate 288 families. This project will be completed next month because we are now doing the final touches to the structures such as painting. We are also undertaking similar programmes in Chinhoyi and Bulawayo.”
“This is exactly what we are calling for and as council, we will provide land for such developments which are up to standard, orderly and modern,” noted Harare City Council Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume.
Government has adopted a deliberate stance, and broader initiatives guided by the Human Settlements Policy aimed at providing properly planned housing solutions to increase the country’s housing stock.
