NHE delivers 694 houses in five years

Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni says the National Housing Enterprises (NHE) has delivered 694 houses since July 2020.

Uutoni was speaking during the handover of 65 new houses constructed by the NHE at Gobabis yesterday.

The minister said the 694 beneficiary families have been living in corrugated iron houses for years.

The houses delivered yesterday are situated at Epako and Nossobville. They were constructed at the cost of N$21 million.

The latest handover follows similar ceremonies at Omuthiya, Ondangwa and Okahao last year, where a combined total of 144 houses were delivered.

“The housing problem is to be solved by us as a collective,” Uutoni said. “We owe our people basic amenities so that they can live dignified and decent lives.”

Uutoni asserted that the government prioritises housing, which he said is reflected in Vision 2030, the National Development Plans, the Harambee Prosperity Plan II and the revised National Housing Policy, which aims to ensure access to land, housing and services for those excluded from conventional housing mechanisms.

He commended the ongoing partnership addressing Windhoek’s informal settlements.

“Last month, we had a groundbreaking event for the construction of 113 affordable houses on the same programme at Goreangab. It is our vision to extend this concept to other towns as well, so that we can realise the true meaning of affordable housing for low-income earners,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, NHE board chairperson Hasting Tjipeua said the NHE aims to increase the number of houses delivered annually to address the national housing backlog.

He said the company’s five-year integrated strategic business plan will serve as a blueprint for its operations.

Tjipeua urged the Gobabis municipality and other local authorities to make affordable land available to the NHE to enable them to continue providing affordable housing.

“The allocation of serviced land to the NHE at an affordable rate … guarantees revenue to the council, while at the same time restoring the dignity of the residents,” he said.

A beneficiary of one of the houses, Nandesora Tjitunga (27), said it’s a relief to finally receive the keys to her own property, a two-bedroom house at the Epako constituency.

The mother of one said she applied for the property seven years ago, while she was still a student.

“I used to pay N$2 000 per month for the past years and it’s a huge relief,” she said.

“I advise young people to apply and refrain from being negative.

Getting yourself your own property is a lifetime investment, now I am paying for my own.”