Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
THE Midlands Province is intensifying housing delivery through private sector investment and Government-backed initiatives, as the country pursues its target of delivering one million homes by 2030.
The drive brings together property developers, public institutions and local authorities to expand access to home ownership, with initiatives targeting different income groups, including low-income earners and civil servants.
Anchored in the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the programme seeks to address housing demand while promoting orderly urban expansion, secure tenure and the development of sustainable communities.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube said approved master plans were providing a framework for the expansion of residential, commercial and industrial developments across the province.
“Local authorities have received approved master plans covering residential, commercial and industrial stands. We have also catered for churches in all the administrative districts,” he said.
Minister Ncube said the plans would guide settlement expansion, accommodate different land-use requirements and provide a framework for developing communities with appropriate infrastructure and services.
He said housing delivery remained central to the Government’s inclusive development agenda and its ambition to achieve Vision 2030.
“As the Second Republic advances its housing agenda under NDS2, the province’s initiatives reflect the broader national push to expand home ownership, improve living conditions and ensure that Zimbabweans from different income groups have opportunities to access decent accommodation,” he said.
Gweru property developer, Dr Smelly Dube said private sector participation was essential to expanding housing delivery and meeting the national target.
She said developers were providing home-ownership opportunities in Kwekwe, Gweru, Zvishavane and Shurugwi, targeting different income groups.
“Private sector participation is critical to meeting the 2030 housing target. Our developments give home-seekers opportunities to own property while working with local authorities on orderly development and infrastructure,” she said.
Dr Dube said the company had introduced housing opportunities targeting low-income earners through gated developments in Gweru, Zvishavane and Shurugwi.
She said more than 50 000 people had acquired homes at different stages of development.
“We have established homeownership opportunities for low-income earners through gated developments in different areas here in Gweru, Zvishavane and Shurugwi, with over 50 000 now owning homes at different stages,” she said.
Government is also pursuing initiatives to improve access to housing for civil servants, including discounted residential stands and the use of pension funds to finance flat construction.
Public Service Commission (PSC)’s Midlands Provincial Co-ordinator, Mr Andrew Chimanyiwa, said engagements with property developers were aimed at increasing housing opportunities for public sector employees.
“We have engaged developers to provide developed stands as commonage for civil servants, with 10 percent going to Government for civil servants to benefit.
“The Minister has also negotiated reduced stand prices, while pension funds are being mobilised to construct flats, some of which will be allocated to civil servants,” he said.
Mr Chimanyiwa said the initiatives were expected to widen housing options for public servants while complementing broader efforts to reduce the national housing backlog.
