NHE, Opuwo join forces to tackle housing crisis

The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) and the Opuwo Town Council have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to construct houses under the Informal Settlement Upgrading Project (ISUP).The initiative directly targets beneficiaries living in Opuwo's informal settlements.Speaking at the signing ceremony last Thursday in Ondangwa, NHE CEO Gisbertus Mukulu said the enterprise has adopted a drastic approach to increasing annual housing output in urban centres, aiming to significantly reduce the national housing backlog to benefit all Namibians.Mukulu said NHE is committed to serving Namibians within the ultra-low and low-income brackets, where housing needs are most critical.He explained that ISUP is designed to provide housing for eligible beneficiaries, as long as they have land allocation rights.Working solution NHE announced that a key strategic focus over the next five years is to expand the ISUP, which has been a “resounding success” in Windhoek, where nearly 800 housing units have been built. This success has led to the project's nationwide implementation, which has already begun in Swakopmund and Otjiwarongo."We need to move fast and hit the ground running on housing delivery for our people," Mukulu said.The programme includes a 6% interest rate subsidy, making housing more accessible. Mukulu said the homes are offered at affordable rates, with prices starting at N$90 000. A one-bedroom unit will cost around N$120 000, a two-bedroom unit is estimated at N$180 000, and a three-bedroom unit at N$350 000.The NHE boss appealed to council to subsidise land costs to enhance affordability for residents, stressing that the cheaper the land, the more affordable the homes will be.Massive backlog Opuwo CEO Matjandjara Tjihuura Katurota praised NHE for its commitment to restoring the dignity of Namibians and affirmed that the council is ready to make land available.Katurota added that the project will play a crucial role in addressing the town’s critical housing shortage, which has led to a mushrooming of informal settlements."There is a serious housing backlog in the town," she said, adding that the partnership will go a long way to address demand for houses and provide proper shelter for residents.

NHE, Opuwo join forces to tackle housing crisis

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-01

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NHE, Opuwo join forces to tackle housing crisis

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-01

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