The City of Windhoek’s land waiting list stands at 40,580, with the figure steadily increasing despite efforts to address the demand for housing and land.
According to the municipality, this figure includes 26,521 names from the original land waiting list and 14,059 additional applications submitted during the November 2014 Mass Land Applications campaign.
The original list breaks down into four categories: 10,241 prospective purchasers, 6,121 prospective tenants, 10,004 members of savings groups, and 155 people with disabilities.
“The City of Windhoek does not maintain a waiting list for low-cost housing but rather a waiting list for land. The waiting list for land stands at a total of 40,580. This includes 26,521 from the original list and 14,059 from the Mass Land Applications of November 2014,” said Lydia Amutenya, City of Windhoek spokesperson.
The city does maintain a separate housing list, which includes applicants awaiting homes under various development schemes. While the total number of people on this list has not been disclosed, the City confirmed it continues to grow as the demand for affordable housing outpaces supply.
Housing development is primarily being addressed through two active initiatives: the Informal Settlement Upgrading Housing Programme and the Affordable Housing Programme.
“The Informal Settlement Upgrading Housing Programme has delivered more than 700 houses since mid-2020. It targets residents earning below N$3,500 per month who have legal occupancy but cannot afford formal construction,” said Amutenya.
She added that this is a collaborative effort involving the City, the NHE, the Khomas Regional Council, and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development
Meanwhile, the Affordable Housing Programme targets residents earning between N$3,500 and N$25,000 per month. Houses are priced between N$300,000 and N$650,000, excluding land, with buyers required to secure bank loans.
To date, the programme has delivered eight houses in Khomasdal and 28 in Goreangab Extension 4. An expansion plan includes at least 200 homes across Cimbebasia, Otjomuise, and Rocky Crest. In March, construction on 60 new units was expected to begin in Goreangab Extension 4.
“In 2023, 400 applicants registered for homes in Goreangab Extension 4. From that pool, 60 beneficiaries will be selected for the upcoming phase. We remain focused on scaling up delivery in targeted areas,” said Amutenya.
To accelerate housing and land delivery, the City Council has adopted several measures. These include prioritising serviced land for low-cost housing, expanding existing programmes, and implementing the 2023 revised Namibian Housing Policy.
This revised policy encourages public-private partnerships, flexible tenure systems, and increased state support to improve land servicing. However, limited funding continues to hinder faster rollout.
“Several strategies are in place to fast-track housing. These include leveraging public-private partnerships and streamlining internal processes. Despite budget limitations, we are committed to improving service delivery through structured reforms,” said Amutenya.
