The government says it has cleared the N$26.6 million debt for 609 beneficiaries of the Rehoboth Alienation Scheme, enabling them to secure title deeds for properties that were previously unattainable.
This comes as the government revealed plans to transfer ownership of houses and erven to residents under the Old Kaptain Hans Diergardt Raad.
The Alienation Scheme, which was introduced in 1992, was aimed at helping low-income and disadvantaged members of the community achieve property ownership.
However, due to a complex history of forced relocation and unfulfilled promises, many residents had not been able to legally own their homes.
Under the previous regime, houses were constructed for residents to relocate into, but the process of transferring ownership was never completed.
“It is really commendable that your government through Cabinet has decided to write off generational debt incurred by beneficiaries of the alienation scheme amounting to N$26,654,010.86,” said the Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni.
The Cabinet’s approval to donate and transfer these properties will allow beneficiaries to officially own their homes and will also enable 90% of these residents to be reconnected to essential municipal services, including water and electricity.
New prepaid meters will prevent the accumulation of future debts, ensuring a more sustainable living environment.
In addition to the debt relief, the Rehoboth Town Council has committed to covering transfer costs amounting to N$59,000.
Uutoni also said the successful implementation of the Alienation Scheme also holds the promise of generating revenue through property rates and taxes, which will be invested in land servicing and further development efforts for the broader community.
He encouraged local leadership to continue identifying land for affordable housing to support low- and middle-income earners.
“Given the successful implementation of this process, I strongly believe that the Town Council will be able to start levying and benefiting from rates and taxes and the money will be invested in land servicing and delivery for other needy residents,” he said.
