NHE launches ISUP in Swakopmund
Addressing informal settlement crisis
The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, launched the National Informal Settlement Upgrading Project (ISUP) in Swakopmund's DRC settlement early last week.
This initiative, which stems from the success of a pilot project in Windhoek, produced 744 houses constructed since its inception in 2020 at a cost of N$144.3 million.
The initiative will now be expanded nationwide, starting with Swakopmund’s DRC, where the municipality has allocated 803 erven for the project, with the first phase set to deliver 233 houses.
Construction of the new housing units in Swakopmund is expected to start in February 2025, with prices ranging between N$97 383.20 for bachelor units to N$253 688.54 for core 3 units. The minister also emphasised that local contractors would be employed to ensure job creation and community involvement.
Thomas Shilongo, Executive for Infrastructure Development at NHE, highlighted the project's alignment with the Social Progression Pillar of the Harambee Prosperity Plan, which prioritises land delivery and housing provision for low-income groups.
Additionally, Uutoni announced that N$700 million has been allocated for the 2024/25 financial year to support housing initiatives under the National Housing Policy, Harambee Prosperity Plan and Vision 2030. “Housing remains a cornerstone of economic emancipation and these resources must be utilised efficiently to ensure more Namibians benefit, activating economic progression for individuals and communities,” he said.
Government along with NHE called on all local authorities to partner with NHE to implement ISUP across the country, replicating the Windhoek model in other towns.
“ISUP’s nationwide rollout aims to transform informal settlements into sustainable communities, providing affordable housing for low-income earners. With Swakopmund leading the charge, the government’s housing initiative is set to make a significant impact on the lives of Namibians,” he said. - [email protected]
This initiative, which stems from the success of a pilot project in Windhoek, produced 744 houses constructed since its inception in 2020 at a cost of N$144.3 million.
The initiative will now be expanded nationwide, starting with Swakopmund’s DRC, where the municipality has allocated 803 erven for the project, with the first phase set to deliver 233 houses.
Construction of the new housing units in Swakopmund is expected to start in February 2025, with prices ranging between N$97 383.20 for bachelor units to N$253 688.54 for core 3 units. The minister also emphasised that local contractors would be employed to ensure job creation and community involvement.
Thomas Shilongo, Executive for Infrastructure Development at NHE, highlighted the project's alignment with the Social Progression Pillar of the Harambee Prosperity Plan, which prioritises land delivery and housing provision for low-income groups.
Additionally, Uutoni announced that N$700 million has been allocated for the 2024/25 financial year to support housing initiatives under the National Housing Policy, Harambee Prosperity Plan and Vision 2030. “Housing remains a cornerstone of economic emancipation and these resources must be utilised efficiently to ensure more Namibians benefit, activating economic progression for individuals and communities,” he said.
Government along with NHE called on all local authorities to partner with NHE to implement ISUP across the country, replicating the Windhoek model in other towns.
“ISUP’s nationwide rollout aims to transform informal settlements into sustainable communities, providing affordable housing for low-income earners. With Swakopmund leading the charge, the government’s housing initiative is set to make a significant impact on the lives of Namibians,” he said. - [email protected]
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