Homes of clay for the people

OTJIWARONGO has added 10 clay houses to more than 100 built under the town’s programme to offer accommodation to poorer and unemployed residents.

The Regional Co-ordinator for Namibia Housing Action Group, Heinrich Amushila, said this week that the houses, completed last month, were the first purpose-built for members of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia. At least 30 more houses were planned for Henties Bay this year, said Amushila, which would make the coastal town only the second to make houses built of clay and lime officially acceptable.In 1997 the Municipality of Otjiwarongo allotted plots for the building of clay houses for those unable to afford conventional brick homes.Clay houses need regular patching each year, said Amushila, but are an improvement on living in a shack made up of metal and cardboard boxes.At least 30 more houses were planned for Henties Bay this year, said Amushila, which would make the coastal town only the second to make houses built of clay and lime officially acceptable. In 1997 the Municipality of Otjiwarongo allotted plots for the building of clay houses for those unable to afford conventional brick homes. Clay houses need regular patching each year, said Amushila, but are an improvement on living in a shack made up of metal and cardboard boxes.