Maria David
THE Ondangwa Town Council and the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) on Friday signed a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at addressing the pressing housing backlog in the town.
This agreement also marks a significant milestone in the countrywide rollout of the Informal Settlement Upgrading Project, a nationwide initiative designed to improve living conditions in underserved communities.
NHE chairperson of the board of directors Toska Sem said the Informal Settlement Upgrading Project was successfully implemented in towns such as Swakopmund and Otjiwarongo.
Sem said that it is important for all other local authorities to join the same wagon.
“We are pleased to enter into this partnership with the Ondangwa Town Council, and we trust that together we can provide livelihoods through the provision of housing,” she said.
Sem said that their target to address the housing backlog can only be achieved through the implementation of the informal housing upgrading project in the country.
She then called upon all those interested in participating in their scheme to contact their office.
Meanwhile, Ondangwa CEO Ismael Namgongo indicated that the town of Ondangwa is facing a significant and escalating housing crisis, with over 7,000 individuals currently on a waiting list for housing in both informal and semi-formalised areas.
Namgongo said the demand for accommodation continues to surge, further exacerbating the existing backlog.
“We have around 7,000 people on our waiting list that need housing in the informal and semi-formalised areas,” he said.
He added that the backlog continues to grow every time they have people applying.
Namgongo said that the appeal of settling in Ondangwa is evident, as many are drawn to the opportunities the town offers.
While the town council is actively providing services and land, he added that their current capacity falls short of meeting the overwhelming demand.
“People have the appetite to settle in Ondangwa. We are providing land, but our capacity as a town council cannot meet the demand,” he added.
He stressed that it is important that they form a good and smart partnership with institutions that are in the field so they can tackle the housing backlog they have as a town.
