Otjomuise housing project resumes

Maria David

MINISTER of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, said that the government and nation are committed to providing and creating opportunities for housing that is not only decent but also affordable, particularly for low and ultra-low-income earners.

Uutoni made these remarks during a familiarisation visit to the mass housing development project at Otjomuise Extension 10 in Windhoek on Monday.

According to Uutoni, they recognise that at times, the houses being constructed, including those under the first phase of the Mass Housing Development Programme, were not truly affordable for all in need, especially low-income groups.

Uutoni indicated that the Cabinet adopted the Mass Housing Development Programme (MHDP) Blueprint in 2013.

“A total of 21 sites were selected in various regions of the country, mainly in regional capitals, where projects under the MHDP were to be implemented. This project site where we are standing is the one chosen in the Khomas region and the national capital, Windhoek,” he said.

He added that out of the 21 sites across the country where Mass Housing projects were implemented, only three sites have commenced but remain unfinished.

Uutoni said that these sites are Otjomuise Extension 10, with 362 incomplete houses; Opuwo, with 24 incomplete housing units; and Swakopmund, which now has 186 incomplete houses.

He emphasized that Swakopmund initially had 505 incomplete houses, but 319 were completed between October 2022 and June of this year, leaving 186 houses still to be finished.

Furthermore, Uutoni indicated that the appointment of a contractor to complete the 24 houses in Opuwo is at an advanced stage, with work expected to start during this financial year.

“It is unfortunate that this project got entangled in a legal dispute dating back to 2017, which resulted in a stoppage and consequent delays in its completion,” he added.

He added that efforts are also being made to resolve the dispute, which will allow for the appointment of a contractor to complete the remaining 186 housing units in Swakopmund.

He further explained that the revised National Housing Policy, which was approved by Cabinet last year, provides for the continuation of existing programmes, as well as increased funding and investment by the government and its partners in land and housing for targeted low-income groups. The policy also provides for the establishment of a housing subsidy.