Auleria Wakudumo
Fifty-two families in Okakarara have become proud homeowners following the official handover of newly constructed houses by the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) on Thursday.
Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa emphasised the significance of the project in addressing Namibia’s housing backlog.
“We cannot afford to miss any single opportunity to provide a house to someone who needs it,” he said, highlighting government’s commitment to ensuring that low-income earners gain access to affordable housing.
Sankwasa described the housing crisis as a national emergency, with a backlog of about 300 000 units.
He reaffirmed government’s target of delivering 10 000 housing units annually for the next five years, focusing on informal settlements where 29% of households currently reside.
He urged local authorities, the Shack Dwellers Federation and the NHE to speed up implementation and ensure resources earmarked for land and housing delivery are effectively utilised.
Deputy chairperson of the NHE board Hasting Tjipueja, echoed the minister’s sentiments, stressing that the 52 houses represented more than just structures of brick and mortar.
“They are a foundation upon which families in Okakarara will build their future generations,” he said.
He reported that the eight-month project was completed ahead of schedule at a cost of N$12.2 million and it has created jobs for 80 local workers.
Tjipueja added that NHE has already delivered 185 houses in the 2025/26 financial year, forming part of its 905-unit annual target, alongside an additional 2 000 homes under the Informal Settlement Upgrading Programme.
NHE CEO Gisbertus Mukulu praised the collaboration of local stakeholders and commended his team for their dedication.
He assured beneficiaries of NHE’s readiness to continue delivering affordable housing nationwide.
He urged new homeowners to honour their repayment commitments to sustain the cycle of delivery.
The project is the second of its kind in Okakarara, following the delivery of 40 houses between 2020 and 2021, bringing the total number of completed homes in the town to 92.