Petronella Sibeene
21 May 2008
Windhoek — Unavailability of land is a major stumbling block for non-governmental organisations that want to speed up the process of providing affordable housing for the poor.
Namibia Housing Action Group, an NGO working closely with different organisations that promote decent housing for shack dwellers, says they have been unable to erect many houses for the poor because regional and local authorities are slack in availing land.
Regional Coordinator for Namibia Housing Action Group, Heinrich Amushila, yesterday told New Era that it has proved difficult to negotiate for pieces of land with local authorities.
About 300000 Namibians live in deplorable housing conditions and according to Amushila, the figure could be higher.
Fear is that as long as serviced land is not accessible and affordable, a large proportion of urban dwellers will continue to be vulnerable.
Amushila says for the 18000 people that belong to over 500 Saving Groups across the country, only 1350 houses have been constructed for them.
The projects exist in 12 regions of the country except for the Kavango region where Amushila said lack of land prevents efforts in this regard.
Governor of the Oshikoto region, Lebeus Tobias, commented that informal shelter development in the country remains a challenge as most households in urban areas lack secure tenure due to high costs of developing land the formal way.
Last weekend, Namibia Housing Action Group together with the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia held a brick-making event at Tsumeb where they encouraged shack dwellers to be proactive in efforts aimed at uplifting their living standards.
During the event, Mayor of Tsumeb, Engel Nawatiseb, acknowledged that shelter is a basic need and a universal human right that must be provided by the Government through its regional and local authorities.
However, he urged shack dwellers to acquaint themselves with housing regulations and town policies regarding the building and erecting of shelter.
Amushila said the process for land planning takes between 18 months and three years, which is cumbersome.
He added, "There is no planning done to avail land for the poor. Available land for example in Opuwo costs N$25 per square metre."
Nawatiseb reiterated that basic housing is the foundation to better health and contributes to a balanced and better quality lifestyle.
He urged the Shack Dwellers Federation to get relevant information from the town planning offices regarding sewerage lines, electricity connections and other building provisions to ensure that people have access to all basic services.
Namibia Housing Action Group provides technical and professional support to people striving to build decent houses for themselves.
Working hand in hand with the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, people are able to apply for loans through the Tuhangana fund financed by the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development.
The ministry avails N$1 million for such projects annually and members apply for loans ranging between N$15000 and N$20000.
"Through self-help the members are empowered. We are encouraging them to make bricks just to cut the costs of building," said Amushila.
Nawatiseb says people wanting to take first steps in improving their lives should be supported substantially.
At his town, 30 houses were built last year through such initiatives and 25 are expected to be built this year by the Dantago Saving Group.
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