BERSEBA – The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) says public perception that houses built through the programme are not of good quality is misleading.
SDFN’s co-director, Heinrich Amushila is concerned over such perceptions by some public members. He expressed this concern at the handover of 13 houses to beneficiaries from Berseba village in the //Kharas Region, whose houses were destroyed by the rainstorm in 2017.
Amushila says SDFN is there to ensure that those ultra and low income earners are able to afford decent housing, saying while the costs are reduced through various ways, the standard of the houses is not compromised.
“Many people think when Shack Dwellers Federation build houses, they are of low quality, but this is not the case, tests were carried out, inspections were done and everything is approved for all the houses we build,” he said.
Amushila singled out Berseba as a clear example of people making unnecessary negative comments, saying the houses constructed at the village, some of which are complaining of not having windows in the front, were built with a clear aim of the owners extending them with time when finances allow.
Thus these houses only have windows at the back. He adds that the houses benefit the communities and owners who are involved from the onset, with some employed to make bricks, or carry out any other activities.
He further notes that about 60 people were employed during the construction of houses at Berseba, revealing that another 20 houses will be constructed at the same village soon.