Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Check Point Desk
Individuals who have been planning to acquire a new stand and build a house in Harare will have to reconsider their plans, as the city proposes a 20-year moratorium on allocating new housing stands.
According to the city’s Draft Master Plan 2025-2045, the council aims to shift its focus towards mass-producing rented accommodation, including walk-up flats, to cater to the growing population.
The plan, which is currently on public exhibition until October 2025, outlines the city’s intention to adopt a Rented Accommodation Housing Policy, prioritising public-private partnerships (PPPs) and joint ventures with private equity.
The proposal also includes halting allocations of stands to housing cooperatives and self-help housing schemes for the next 20 years.
This comes amid revelations that the city’s housing waiting list has ballooned to 288 885, with 43 percent of households being lodgers, as the city continues to grapple with the high demand for affordable housing.
The city also plans to repossess all housing land that has not been developed within one month of the gazette of the master plan and will not renew housing leases with immediate effect.
Residents and organisations have been given until October 16, to submit their objections or representations in writing to the town clerk or director of Urban Planning.
The plan, which was released last week, contains aerial photos, illustrations, maps, reports and statistical information to support the planning vision.
The Master Plan focuses on an analysis of past, present, and future conditions of the study and planning area and has specific proposals for land use, environmental management, economic development, traffic and transportation plans, bulk infrastructure and community and social facilities.
