Shack Dwellers on the move
The deputy minister of urban and rural development, Derek Klazen, says the challenge of providing land and housing is not only the government's concern.
Klazen made this statement at the commissioning of the construction of 100 homes by and for the Shack Dwellers' Federation of Namibia at Walvis Bay.
He believes that both the private sector and the community have an important role to play in this regard.
“Housing has gained prominence as one of the key national development priorities and is an important vehicle for addressing poverty and inequality, as well as for bringing about social harmony, economic advancement and ensuring political stability.
“It is my conviction that the housing challenge is not insurmountable if we, government, the private sector and the community pool our resources and efforts together and develop inclusive, equitable and innovative strategies, such as this initiative,” said Klazen.
He said the government, through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development and local authorities such as the Walvis Bay municipality, would continue to support organisations such as the Shack Dwellers' Federation of Namibia, “who have demonstrated their commitment and ability to contribute to the national drive towards providing affordable housing and proper sanitation to the community, especially those in the ultra-low and low-income categories”.
“The federation's solution to housing is unique and worth supporting in that it is a case of the community itself taking action to address its own developmental needs. This is a clear testimony of sustainable and people-centred development, and I hereby pledge our continued support.
“To date, the government's support for housing amounts to N$37.6 million. Under the current financial year, there is a provision for an amount of N$7 million to assist the federation to enable its members to build affordable houses for themselves through initiatives such as the one whose commissioning we are here to witness. This support will continue in the future.”
He thanked the Walvis Bay municipality for making 100 plots available to the federation.
Housing has become a critical issue in Namibia and the provision of decent housing has been made a key developmental priority as encapsulated in Vision 2030, National Development Plans and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
ADOLF KAURE
Klazen made this statement at the commissioning of the construction of 100 homes by and for the Shack Dwellers' Federation of Namibia at Walvis Bay.
He believes that both the private sector and the community have an important role to play in this regard.
“Housing has gained prominence as one of the key national development priorities and is an important vehicle for addressing poverty and inequality, as well as for bringing about social harmony, economic advancement and ensuring political stability.
“It is my conviction that the housing challenge is not insurmountable if we, government, the private sector and the community pool our resources and efforts together and develop inclusive, equitable and innovative strategies, such as this initiative,” said Klazen.
He said the government, through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development and local authorities such as the Walvis Bay municipality, would continue to support organisations such as the Shack Dwellers' Federation of Namibia, “who have demonstrated their commitment and ability to contribute to the national drive towards providing affordable housing and proper sanitation to the community, especially those in the ultra-low and low-income categories”.
“The federation's solution to housing is unique and worth supporting in that it is a case of the community itself taking action to address its own developmental needs. This is a clear testimony of sustainable and people-centred development, and I hereby pledge our continued support.
“To date, the government's support for housing amounts to N$37.6 million. Under the current financial year, there is a provision for an amount of N$7 million to assist the federation to enable its members to build affordable houses for themselves through initiatives such as the one whose commissioning we are here to witness. This support will continue in the future.”
He thanked the Walvis Bay municipality for making 100 plots available to the federation.
Housing has become a critical issue in Namibia and the provision of decent housing has been made a key developmental priority as encapsulated in Vision 2030, National Development Plans and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
ADOLF KAURE
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