Online Reporter
Peter Matika [email protected]
BULAWAYO’S housing waiting list has ballooned to about 140 000 applicants as demand for residential stands continues to outstrip supply, with city authorities under mounting pressure to accelerate land servicing amid an influx of returning Zimbabweans and rapid urbanisation.
The latest Bulawayo City Council (BCC) Housing and Community Services Committee report indicates that the city’s housing backlog continues to widen despite ongoing efforts to service land and regularise settlements.
The report comes at a time when demand for housing has been fuelled by population growth, rural-to-urban migration and Zimbabweans in the diaspora returning home and seeking to invest in residential property.
According to the report, councillors have expressed concern over the ever-growing waiting list, with some calling for greater transparency and fairness in the allocation of residential stands.
They stressed that residents who have remained on the waiting list for years should be prioritised ahead of new applicants, while urging council to expedite the servicing of land to meet rising demand.
Bulawayo mayor, Councillor David Coltart, is on record acknowledging the city’s housing deficit, saying council was working to unlock more land for residential development through partnerships with Government and private developers.
“The demand for housing in Bulawayo continues to grow and council is committed to increasing the supply of serviced residential stands,” he said.
“We recognise that thousands of residents have been waiting for years and our priority is to ensure that land allocation is undertaken in a transparent, fair and accountable manner while accelerating servicing of new housing areas.”
Housing experts say home ownership remains one of the biggest aspirations for many Zimbabweans, particularly those returning from the diaspora, who often invest their savings in residential properties upon returning home or while planning for retirement.
The city’s strategic location, improving infrastructure and relatively affordable property prices compared to some regional cities have also made Bulawayo an attractive destination for returnees seeking permanent residence.
During debate councillors said while the local authority has welcomed investment from returning Zimbabweans, it should ensure that residents who have patiently remained on the housing waiting list for many years are not disadvantaged.
“We must strike a balance. We welcome our brothers and sisters coming back home to invest, but we also have thousands of residents who have waited for years for residential stands,” reads the report.
“The allocation process must remain equitable and transparent.”
Urban planning experts say the growing housing demand reflects renewed confidence in Bulawayo’s long-term prospects but warned that failure to service adequate land could fuel the proliferation of illegal settlements and unplanned developments.
The report notes that council continues to pursue various housing development initiatives aimed at reducing the backlog, although constrained financial resources and the high cost of servicing land remain major impediments.
