New housing policy urges Govt to help folk who help themselves

EFFORTS by people trying to house themselves need to be formally recognised with “real support” from central Government, through the Ministry of Regional Local Government and Housing.

This proposal is contained in a newly released policy on housing. The fifth National Housing Policy was tabled and discussed at a one-day seminar held in the capital last week.The policy, which is a product of the National Housing Advisory Committee (NHAC), says the establishment of community-based housing schemes in all regions “must be promoted”.”The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) and other savings groups have done a magnificent job in housing their members,” notes the policy.Giving a brief summary of the policy, NHAC chairman Mike Kavekotora said the document also called for the size of housing plots to be based on economic considerations in an effort to promote an integrated development approach.Local authorities, he said, had been asked to provide virgin land – whether planned and surveyed or not – free of charge to developers since the development of housing would contribute towards their long-term revenue streams.Officially opening the workshop, Housing Minister Joel Kaapanda said his Ministry estimated that 300 000 houses would be needed for low-income families in the next 28 years.At current prices, he said, this would require a budget of N$214 million a year.The NHAC advises the Minister of Local Government and Housing on national policies and programmes related to low-cost residential accommodation.The fifth National Housing Policy was tabled and discussed at a one-day seminar held in the capital last week.The policy, which is a product of the National Housing Advisory Committee (NHAC), says the establishment of community-based housing schemes in all regions “must be promoted”.”The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) and other savings groups have done a magnificent job in housing their members,” notes the policy.Giving a brief summary of the policy, NHAC chairman Mike Kavekotora said the document also called for the size of housing plots to be based on economic considerations in an effort to promote an integrated development approach.Local authorities, he said, had been asked to provide virgin land – whether planned and surveyed or not – free of charge to developers since the development of housing would contribute towards their long-term revenue streams.Officially opening the workshop, Housing Minister Joel Kaapanda said his Ministry estimated that 300 000 houses would be needed for low-income families in the next 28 years.At current prices, he said, this would require a budget of N$214 million a year.The NHAC advises the Minister of Local Government and Housing on national policies and programmes related to low-cost residential accommodation.