adminTHE Hwange Local Board has added 1 000 more high-density stands to its pro- poor housing scheme aimed at providing affordable housing to residents as the local authority strives to meet the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation target for housing by 2018.
The scheme was started last year with an initial number of 2 000 stands.
Zim Asset prioritises housing through the social services and poverty eradication cluster as well as the Infrastructure and Utilities cluster whose thrust is to ensure that there is decent shelter for Zimbabweans.
Housing development is a key result area of Zim Asset, envisaging the construction of 125 000 housing units with an annual target of 25 000. The country’s housing backlog stands at 1,25 million. Speaking on the scheme, chief executive officer Mr Ndumiso Mdlalose said aspiring home owners were paying $50 per month towards the price of the stands which are going for about $1 200-$2 000.
“Once a person has paid half of the full amount, they are allowed to develop the property as they finish off what they owe. Last year all the stands were taken up but the challenge is of defaults as some people are failing to pay consistently,” said Mr Mdlalose.
He said the importance of the scheme was to open up avenues to most people who could not afford stands as this method was encompassing and more accommodating.
He said the programme was part of the implementation of Zim Asset and the mining town’s housing waiting list stood at around 5 000.
Domestic shelter is an important basic need in any society and according to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements of 2000; housing is an essential component of the foundation needed by every individual to participate fully in society.
In Zimbabwe’s most urban areas there has been a critical shortage of housing and the backlog continues to increase with the most affected being low-income earners.
Bulawayo, the country’s second largest city is sitting on a housing waiting list of around 100 000.
Bongani Ndlovu