Staff Reporter
Government has been commended for strategic partnership with Shelter Afrique in housing infrastructure development by availing a US$25million loan facility for the project.
Business analysts have projected that the initiative will scale up housing delivery in Zimbabwe by a significant margin.
Speaking at the press conference in Harare yesterday, Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Daniel Garwe who is also the current Chairman of Shelter Afrique, said the institution’s lines of credit for housing delivery echoes the confidence that banks have in Zimbabwe.
“Our local financial institutions have been able to access funding for housing delivery and have religiously and diligently honoured their obligations,” said Minister Garwe
He also emphasised that housing is at the staple of any economic development saying it creates employment across the value chain of housing. Minister Garwe added that housing also tackles unemployment which is key for stability, peace and security in any country.
Minister Garwe, further indicated that the Government was providing land for the housing programme.
Speaking to this publication, business analyst Shepherd Mapanda, commended the Government for stepping up efforts toward its target of delivering affordable housing to Zimbabweans and providing a modern and low costing accommodation for citizens.
“The Government has had multiple plans to roll out public housing schemes around the country, including a national housing policy launched in 1999, but it has lacked the resources to keep up with rising demand. With rural-to-urban migration increasing in Zimbabwe and urban squatter camps growing, the shortage of affordable public housing has become a contentious issue.
“The disbursements of funds through Shelter Afrique as we move towards the target of 220 000 houses by 2025 is important because most people who were in the informal sector have for years been excluded from mortgage finance to access housing loans but with the loan requirements for Shelter Afrique it has been made possible,” said Mapanda.
Meanwhile, projects that are being funded by Shelter Afrique include Norton, which is being done by UDCORP, and Marondera, which is being done by National Building Society (NBS).
