Namibia’s Mass Housing Development Programme has completed and handed over 4,446 housing units across various regions, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, has revealed.
The Mass Housing Development Programme was adopted by the Cabinet in 2013 and the Programme implementation started in 2014.
The Minister highlighted this achievement during a ceremony marking the handover of 119 newly completed houses at Swakopmund.
Uutoni expressed pride in the progress made, particularly noting the recent completion of 319 houses ahead of schedule despite previous challenges.
“I wish to commend the contractor, New Era Investments, and our dedicated government team for their relentless efforts in achieving this milestone,” stated Uutoni during his address.
He said the completion of these houses represents a significant step forward for the programme, which has faced setbacks including legal disputes and funding challenges.
“We are aware of the challenges that delayed some projects, such as the legal dispute that affected 505 houses at this site in Swakopmund. However, through perseverance and collaboration, we have managed to resolve many of these issues,” Uutoni said.
The Minister outlined the government’s commitment to completing the remaining 572 units that are currently in various stages of completion.
“We are prioritising the resolution of outstanding issues, including the dispute affecting 186 houses here in Swakopmund, as well as projects in Windhoek and Opuwo,” he affirmed.
Regarding plans, Uutoni emphasised the government’s dedication to addressing housing needs across all income groups.
“We are fully aware that we need to do more to meet the needs for decent and affordable housing for all our people. In this connection, the Cabinet last year in November approved the revised National Housing Policy with a 5-year Implementation Action Plan,” he explained.
The Policy seeks to reinforce and scale up ongoing collaborative actions and partnerships between the Government, community-based organisations and the private sector.
It gives special attention to improving conditions in informal settlements and meeting the housing needs of ultra-low, low and middle-income groups, which constitute approximately 88% of the population in need of affordable land and decent housing.
“We are finalising the launch of this policy and its implementation plan to further enhance our efforts in providing decent and affordable housing,” the Minister added.
