Govt to partner banks in new housing scheme

Herald Reporter
Government will partner financial institutions to ensure the recently announced housing scheme, which will be launched soon, has enough back-up, with mortgage being availed to beneficiaries, an official has said.

Director of National Housing and Social Amenities in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Mr Lexton Kuwanda said all councils would play a part in the scheme.

He was speaking during the weekend at the unveiling of almost 3 000 residential stands that were fully serviced in Galloway, Norton by the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association led by Dr Killer Zivhu.

The event was attended by several Government and Zanu-PF officials, Norton council officials, building contractors, building materials firms and the beneficiaries who were told that they were free to start building.

“We will be partnering with banks where people will be opening bank accounts,” said Mr Kuwanda in reference to the new scheme called Own-Your-Own-Home Scheme.

“The banks will then marshal those resources for housing projects. There will be mortgage arrangements by the banks to enable people to build their houses.”

Mr Kuwanda said under the scheme, each local authority and council will get its share of the housing units to be delivered in its jurisdiction. Speaking at the same occasion, Dr Zivhu said they were ready to play their part in assisting Government meet targets under Zim-Asset.

Zanu-PF Women’s League secretary for administration Cde Esphenah Nhari commended Dr Zivhu for delivering the residential stands. “This is the only co-operative for which we have not received any complaint at our offices,” she said.

“Members of most of the co-operatives come to our offices with complaints that their money is abused or there are double allocations. The Own-Your-Own-Home Scheme is being introduced to ensure that the Zim-Asset target of almost 300 000 housing units by 2018 is met.

The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has since tendered for the supply of plant and equipment for the development of land.