Low-cost housing needs a rethink

THE head of the National Housing Enterprise, Mike Kavekotora, says people should let go of their preconceived ideas against houses that are not built of bricks and mortar.

Speaking at the handover of 214 low-cost houses in Otjomuise on Saturday, Kavekotora said it was critical for the NHE to reduce the ballooning housing backlog by using cheaper technology. Without revealing details, Kavekotora hinted that the NHE was set to introduce alternative forms of housing.”Be realistic and acquire houses that you can afford.There are so many technologies out there that we want to introduce in order to reduce housing delivery cost make housing affordable to the majority of Namibia.”However, he said the public was resistant to new ideas in this regard, and the NHE was struggling to convince people to accept alternative building techniques.”The success of our efforts will be determined by your acceptance of these technologies,” Kavekotora said.The 214 new houses in Otjomuise were built at a cost of N$20,3 million.The NHE buys plots from the local authority and provides the building materials, but it outsources the construction to subcontractors, mainly small businesses owned by previously disadvantaged people.At the same occasion, John Pandeni, Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development, urged NHE management to dispel workers’ concerns that the institution was losing focus and engaging in self-enrichment.He said it was essential for Government, the private sector and the public to work together in finding lasting solutions to the housing shortage in Namibia.The housing programme received financial assistance from the German government.Without revealing details, Kavekotora hinted that the NHE was set to introduce alternative forms of housing.”Be realistic and acquire houses that you can afford.There are so many technologies out there that we want to introduce in order to reduce housing delivery cost make housing affordable to the majority of Namibia.”However, he said the public was resistant to new ideas in this regard, and the NHE was struggling to convince people to accept alternative building techniques.”The success of our efforts will be determined by your acceptance of these technologies,” Kavekotora said.The 214 new houses in Otjomuise were built at a cost of N$20,3 million.The NHE buys plots from the local authority and provides the building materials, but it outsources the construction to subcontractors, mainly small businesses owned by previously disadvantaged people.At the same occasion, John Pandeni, Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development, urged NHE management to dispel workers’ concerns that the institution was losing focus and engaging in self-enrichment.He said it was essential for Government, the private sector and the public to work together in finding lasting solutions to the housing shortage in Namibia.The housing programme received financial assistance from the German government.