The Windhoek City Council has approved the allocation of land to the households in low–income areas that have been on the City’s waiting list. The City has also resolved to upgrade the informal settlements.
Windhoek mayor Job Amupanda made these revelations during a media briefing in the capital yesterday following the ordinary council meeting on Monday evening.

Amupanda revealed that there is land readily available, of which more than 3 000 residents will be approved to get plots and the process has already started with the planning and integration.
He said the pre-allocation of land in informal settlements will be in two categories - the brownfield and greenfield for new areas and informal settlements.

The mayor added that the project is targeting to reach 5 000 pre-allocations in informal settlements within three years.
The locations earmarked for pre-allocations are Havana, Okuryangava, Otjomuise and Goreagab informal settlements in Katutura.
During the media briefing, Amupanda emphasised that the pre-allocation of land is an initial allocation of plots based on the proposed layout plan that is supported by the council and obtained an environment clearance but did not yet clear the statutory planning process.

“The allocation will be done in line with the council development and upgrading policy, which was approved in 2019 for the allocation of land in the low-income areas,” he said.

The mayor added that the pre-allocation process is expected to restore confidence in the system and give hope to people living in informal settlements or those on the waiting list who are unable to participate in the formal land market.  
The newly elected mayor further explained that the City will use a scientific methodology when integrating the list to ensure the plots are allocated to those who deserve them.

“In addition to the pre-allocation, all leases in informal settlements that have undergone an upgrading intervention will be kept up-to-date and the remaining statutory town planning process will be finalised to pave way for lease with an option to buy or a sales agreement,” he said.
The council has also recommended the waiting list to be validated and digitalised, whereafter it will be submitted to the management committee for consideration. 

Once approved, the list will then be made available on the City of Windhoek website for public access.
Amupanda is adamant that the process will be smooth and fast because the City has now supplemented the planning division with more than six newly appointed graduates to help in fastening the planning process.
“We have increased the capacity for town planning division so that the group of young professionals fresh from the university will help us to achieve this milestone,” he said.

Also, the City has approved the application for the establishment of six new townships by the National Housing Enterprise for residential development that will be situated north-west of the City on portion 3 of the Farm Ongos No. 38 close to Havana Township. 
 
The main access to the proposed township development is through the Monte Christo Road and the Western Bypass. The development will comprise six new townships with a total of 1 105 ervens. 

In addition, the city council has approved the application for the establishment of a new residential township by the Indigenous People’s Business Forum situated in Avis suburb in Klein Windhoek. The proposed township has a total of 246 erven.
 ljason@nepc.com.na

Caption (Plots)
Housing… The City of Windhoek will avail over 3 000 residential plots to residents in low-income areas, as well as upgrading the informal settlements. 
Photo: Nampa