Shaningwa pleads for cheaper housing
The minister of urban and rural development, Sophia Shaningwa, officially handed over 400 houses under the mass housing development project at Matutura Extension 10, 11 and 12 in Swakopmund on Friday.
The houses were part of 883 that were built by Oyeno Power during the project's first phase.
According to Shaningwa, houses should not be built at prices that the communities cannot afford.
“In order to make sure that the houses are affordable to the people, especially the low-income earners, the cabinet of the government of Namibia has taken a decision that the categories of houses that are earmarked for the ultra-low and low-income groups must be sold at prices that are lower than the actual cost of construction. This is a commendable and worthy gesture from our government,” she said. “With the approved discounted selling prices, a person who earns a salary of N$2 700 per month will now be able to afford a D1 [unit], which is being offered for sale at a reduced price of N$70 000.
“The construction price of a D1 house is N$199 561, which is subsidised by 65 percent. The monthly instalment for this type of house will be N$550,” she explained.
She told all relevant authorities that that there are no excuses for failing to reach the housing targets outlined in the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
“The government, as you are aware, through the ministry of urban and rural development, has committed to ensure that at least 5 000 new houses are constructed every year and that at least 6 500 new residential plots are provided every year,” she added.
The new homeowners were warned not to erect shacks around their houses and to report any form of vandalism to the Swakopmund municipality or to the nearest police station.
A further 638 houses will soon be completed, which will bring the total number of houses constructed under the mass housing project at Swakopmund to 1 521.
ADOLF KAURE
The houses were part of 883 that were built by Oyeno Power during the project's first phase.
According to Shaningwa, houses should not be built at prices that the communities cannot afford.
“In order to make sure that the houses are affordable to the people, especially the low-income earners, the cabinet of the government of Namibia has taken a decision that the categories of houses that are earmarked for the ultra-low and low-income groups must be sold at prices that are lower than the actual cost of construction. This is a commendable and worthy gesture from our government,” she said. “With the approved discounted selling prices, a person who earns a salary of N$2 700 per month will now be able to afford a D1 [unit], which is being offered for sale at a reduced price of N$70 000.
“The construction price of a D1 house is N$199 561, which is subsidised by 65 percent. The monthly instalment for this type of house will be N$550,” she explained.
She told all relevant authorities that that there are no excuses for failing to reach the housing targets outlined in the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
“The government, as you are aware, through the ministry of urban and rural development, has committed to ensure that at least 5 000 new houses are constructed every year and that at least 6 500 new residential plots are provided every year,” she added.
The new homeowners were warned not to erect shacks around their houses and to report any form of vandalism to the Swakopmund municipality or to the nearest police station.
A further 638 houses will soon be completed, which will bring the total number of houses constructed under the mass housing project at Swakopmund to 1 521.
ADOLF KAURE
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