Government Invests Over US$1 Billion In Housing And Social Amenities

By Evans Jona

Umguza-Government has invested an excess of US$1 billion in housing and social amenities within the National Development Strategy(NDS1) period, a Cabinet Minister said.

This was said by National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda during the belated World Habitat Day Commemorations held at Vulindlela Township in Rangemore, Umguza District on Thursday.

World Habitat Day is observed annually on the first Monday of October to reflect on the state of towns and cities and to emphasize the right to adequate shelter.

The day was designated by the United Nations to remind the world of its collective responsibility to shape the future of human habitats.

This year`s commemorations ran under the theme “Urban Crisis Response,” highlighting challenges like climate change and conflict’s impact on urban areas and the need for innovative solutions to improve quality of life.

Minister Soda said under the same period, government also secured 2,500 hectares of land for housing and social amenities, while the amendment of rent regulations is at an advanced stage to make housing affordable.

“Government is reforming key housing policies to attract greater private sector investment and make homes more affordable for ordinary citizens, as it moves to consolidate the gains achieved under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

“Several policy amendments are being finalised,” said Minister Soda.

He also said to attract the private sector in housing delivery, government is in the process of gazetting the amendments in relation to rent regulations.

“Partnerships with private developers had already started transforming the sector.

“We are pleased to share that, as the housing delivery sector, we managed to meet notable milestones under NDS1. About 800,000 houses were constructed and serviced stands delivered, surpassing an initial target of 220,000,”said the minister.

In recent years, government has been using public-private partnerships (PPPs) to address housing shortages by having the private sector finance, build, and manage housing projects, with the government contributing land and policy support.