The deputy minister of urban and rural development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, handed over 56 houses to beneficiaries in Oranjemund’s Extension 10 on Wednesday, marking a milestone in the town’s social housing efforts.
The one- and two-bedroom homes, built by the Oranjemund Town Council (OTC) for N$6 million, are aimed at ultra-low- and low-income earners. They form part of the Informal Settlement Upgrading and Decongestion Plan adopted in 2021, which seeks to construct 120 houses. Beneficiaries will pay monthly instalments under a rent-to-own scheme, ensuring affordability while generating funds for further housing development.
One of the recipients, Shivanda Fridrik, expressed joy after receiving his keys. “I am happy. This happened so unexpectedly. It came as a surprise, and I am at a loss for words. Thank you to the mayor and his team of councillors for changing my life,” he said.
!Nawases-Taeyele said that the handover was part of a broader national agenda to accelerate housing delivery across Namibia’s 14 regions and 121 constituencies. She acknowledged challenges faced by many local authorities, including limited land, high construction costs, rapid urbanisation and financial constraints. “Accommodation remains a major issue in most of our towns. This is why it remains a collective responsibility of both the private and public sectors to play their part in developing housing and related infrastructure,” she said.
Committed - The deputy minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to deliver more than 50 000 houses by the end of the current term. “We are expected to build at least 10 000 houses per year. While 56 is a start, it shows how much more needs to be done to reach this ambitious goal,” she added. She also cautioned against disunity among local authority councillors. “You are not here to advance your political interests, but to serve the people who elected you,” she stressed.
Strategy - The OTC’s decongestion strategy, launched in 2017, identified Extension 10 for housing development after a survey revealed over 2 000 residents needed accommodation. Of the 267 erven earmarked, 56 houses have now been completed. According to acting CEO Festus Nekayi, a housing committee was established earlier this year to guide the allocation process. Criteria included fire-prone areas, good municipal payers, persons with disabilities, council staff and community diversity. The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia was appointed to supply bricks and assist with construction, helping to reduce costs.
“This is only the first phase,” Nekayi explained. “Through the rent-to-own system, we can reinvest funds into building more houses. While units cost between N$120 000 and N$130 000, greater competition in building materials could help lower prices further.” Mayor Elias Kasemba reminded beneficiaries of their responsibility to honour agreements with the council. “By paying your rent, you will eventually own your homes while enabling the town to build more for others in need. If payments are not made, you will only have three months to rectify matters before the property is reallocated,” he warned.
The one- and two-bedroom homes, built by the Oranjemund Town Council (OTC) for N$6 million, are aimed at ultra-low- and low-income earners. They form part of the Informal Settlement Upgrading and Decongestion Plan adopted in 2021, which seeks to construct 120 houses. Beneficiaries will pay monthly instalments under a rent-to-own scheme, ensuring affordability while generating funds for further housing development.
One of the recipients, Shivanda Fridrik, expressed joy after receiving his keys. “I am happy. This happened so unexpectedly. It came as a surprise, and I am at a loss for words. Thank you to the mayor and his team of councillors for changing my life,” he said.
!Nawases-Taeyele said that the handover was part of a broader national agenda to accelerate housing delivery across Namibia’s 14 regions and 121 constituencies. She acknowledged challenges faced by many local authorities, including limited land, high construction costs, rapid urbanisation and financial constraints. “Accommodation remains a major issue in most of our towns. This is why it remains a collective responsibility of both the private and public sectors to play their part in developing housing and related infrastructure,” she said.
Committed - The deputy minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to deliver more than 50 000 houses by the end of the current term. “We are expected to build at least 10 000 houses per year. While 56 is a start, it shows how much more needs to be done to reach this ambitious goal,” she added. She also cautioned against disunity among local authority councillors. “You are not here to advance your political interests, but to serve the people who elected you,” she stressed.
Strategy - The OTC’s decongestion strategy, launched in 2017, identified Extension 10 for housing development after a survey revealed over 2 000 residents needed accommodation. Of the 267 erven earmarked, 56 houses have now been completed. According to acting CEO Festus Nekayi, a housing committee was established earlier this year to guide the allocation process. Criteria included fire-prone areas, good municipal payers, persons with disabilities, council staff and community diversity. The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia was appointed to supply bricks and assist with construction, helping to reduce costs.
“This is only the first phase,” Nekayi explained. “Through the rent-to-own system, we can reinvest funds into building more houses. While units cost between N$120 000 and N$130 000, greater competition in building materials could help lower prices further.” Mayor Elias Kasemba reminded beneficiaries of their responsibility to honour agreements with the council. “By paying your rent, you will eventually own your homes while enabling the town to build more for others in need. If payments are not made, you will only have three months to rectify matters before the property is reallocated,” he warned.
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