72 000 Windhoek households without proper homes

The City of Windhoek has revealed that since 2019, the City&#039;s housing backlog has surged by more than 24%, leaving over 72 000 households without proper homes. In a report obtained by Namibian Sun this week, the City&#039;s section engineer for housing, Theunis Heunis, said Windhoek&#039;s informal settlements are growing at a rate of 6.4% annually, a stark reminder of the challenges faced by urban centres worldwide. At the centre of this crisis lies a fundamental issue: a severe shortage of serviced land and affordable housing. "By 2025, the city will require an additional 1 816 hectares to meet the demand for residential plots. Yet, as the land needs grow, so does the housing backlog. Across income brackets, families are waiting longer and hope is becoming a scarce resource," Heunis said. "The numbers speak volumes: since 2019, the housing backlog has surged by 24.65%, leaving over 72 000 households without proper shelter. That&#039;s why people wait for years before receiving houses, because of the backlog," Heunis added.A home for every familyDespite the daunting numbers, the City hopes to make Windhoek a smart, inclusive city where every resident has access to dignity and opportunity through affordable housing and serviced land."This vision is not just about meeting demand; it is about transforming lives. The council&#039;s plan encompasses developing serviced land across all income categories, creating housing solutions within reach for families of all financial backgrounds, and upholding its mandate to foster a thriving urban environment," the report noted.“The challenge starts with understanding the need. By 2024, the city must have delivered 54 500 plots for larger households and 60 500 smaller plots, requiring 2 700 hectares of land. Infrastructure, roads, and utilities must be built alongside these plots to ensure liveable communities," the report added.Plans in place The report shows that the capital expenditure over the next five years is estimated at over N$1.37 billion, a figure that reflects both the ambition and the urgency of the plan.To rise to the challenge, the City plans to allocate N$276 million annually while also seeking partnerships with development financiers to close the funding gap. The City has established a five-year plan for housing and land delivery.In the pipeline are 2 830 serviced plots in areas such as Cimbebasia, Rocky Crest, Otjomuise, Khomasdal, and Havana (Mix settlement), 2 470 housing units distributed across Cimbebasia, Otjomuise, Havana, Goreangab, and Mix Settlement, and a student village with 80 units.This will be a collaborative effort with stakeholders like Ongos Valley, the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN), Development Workshop Namibia (DWN) and other developers to accelerate housing provision in informal settlements and low-income areas.

72 000 Windhoek households without proper homes

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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72 000 Windhoek households without proper homes

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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