The Namibia Housing Enterprise (NHE) has rolled out its Informal Settlement Upgrading Project (ISUP) to Kalkfeld in the Otjozondjupa region, where 93 houses will be constructed under the initiative.

During a groundbreaking ceremony marking the handing over of the site to a contractor yesterday, the NHE reaffirmed its commitment to provide affordable houses to Namibians across the country.

The Informal Settlement Upgrading Programme is a partnership between the NHE, the government, regional councils, and local authorities, aimed at improving conditions in areas with informal housing by building new homes for low-income residents.

Officiating at the event, NHE CEO Gisbertus Mukulu said the company was glad to be part of the journey of providing affordable housing to Namibians. 

He said the project at Kalkfeld will be vital in securing much needed houses for many at the settlement who desperately need it.

“As we launch the construction of houses here today, we are happy to be part of history making. Affordable housing is a vital need for all and NHE rates this as priority in all its programmes,” he said.

He said a total of 22 houses will be constructed during the first phase of the project launched yesterday, while the remainder will be constructed in due course. 

Chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council, Johannes Haiku hailed the commencement of the project at Kalkfeld, noting that it will go a long way in serving the local community.

He said housing is a basic need as such making such means available for the construction of houses is a welcome initiative.

“We are proud to be partners to this important project and therefore pledge our full commitment to see its maturity,” said Haiku.

The project targets ultra-low-income residents who have a monthly income of up to N$3,500 and who own a title deed, lease agreement, or have received a certificate of land occupation in areas that already have basic services but lack the resources to construct a formal structure or brick house.

Kalkfled, a settlement nestled between Otjiwarongo and Omaruru in one of Namibia’s biggest regions by size, has seen tremendous growth over the years. 

Such growth has necessitated the provision of vital services, with housing being on the top of the list.

About 40 percent of Namibia’s population lives in informal settlements, with little or no access to infrastructure and basic services, including water, sanitation, and hygiene, according to the United Nations (UN).

Informal settlers are predominantly internal migrants from rural areas or other towns, as well as young people looking for jobs, better income, education, and other essential services. 

This migration to urban centres has pushed the need for decent and affordable housing up. Currently, the NHE faces a housing backlog of 300 000, with 120 000 applicants on its waiting list since 2005, largely owing to these dynamics.

The company has however committed itself to easing the backlog. During the current financial year, which began on 01 July, the enterprise has already constructed 185 houses. 

The annual target is a total of 905 project houses, plus an additional 2,000 units under the ISUP, bringing the yearly goal to nearly 3,000 new homes, according to the NHE.

At the same time, Namibia is currently grappling with a deficit of affordable serviced land and housing. A limited supply of new property in urban centres has resulted in a sizable shortfall of formal housing, leading to stark increases in house prices, especially in urban areas.

More site handovers will be done in the Kavango West, Hardap, Zambezi and Kharas regions by the NHE over the next two weeks, as it intensifies its roll-out of affordable housing provision to qualifying Namibians.