Staff Reporter
Government is intensifying efforts to meet its goal of delivering one million housing units by 2025, relying heavily on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate progress.
Key stakeholders, including local authorities, land developers, and Government ministries, met in Harare on Monday to address persistent challenges in housing delivery and explore collaborative solutions to fast-track the process.
Speaking at the event, Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities Permanent Secretary, Engineer Theodious Chinyanga emphasised the critical role of joint efforts in overcoming housing challenges.
"Housing delivery is not solely the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing. It requires a multi-stakeholder approach. We have brought all relevant parties together to reach consensus and collectively address the obstacles slowing our progress," said Chinyanga.
He highlighted key barriers, such as financing gaps and policy misinterpretations, that have hindered housing delivery, stressing the need for greater involvement from the financial sector to fund and support housing projects.
Engineer Chinyanga also pointed to concerns over infrastructure limitations, particularly in low-density areas, and the strain on resources shared between contiguous local authorities.
Despite these obstacles, Engineer Chinyanga said that Government remains committed to its housing targets under the National Development Strategy One (NDS1), which includes housing as one of its 14 strategic pillars.
He noted that the meeting sought to streamline processes for developers and address concerns over densification and infrastructure capacity in urban areas.
Head of Projects and Development at Exodus and Company, Godwin Gwetu underscored the importance of PPPs in achieving Government’s housing agenda.
"Public-private partnerships are essential for mobilising the necessary resources and expertise from the private sector. These collaborations bring in much-needed investment and technical know-how to complement Government efforts," Gwetu stated.
With increased collaboration and a focus on addressing financial and infrastructure challenges, Government is optimistic that the one million housing unit target can be met by 2025.
Enhanced partnerships between the public and private sectors are expected to drive significant growth in Zimbabwe's housing sector, improving living conditions for thousands of citizens across the country.
