Windhoek needs billions of dollars for houses
City’s population expected to double within 21 years
Various policy measures and housing initiatives are being implemented to tackle the housing crisis in Windhoek.
The City of Windhoek needs at least N$7 billion to effectively address the housing shortage in the city.This is according to Faniel Maanda, the strategic executive for housing, property management and human settlement during an extensive presentation to a visiting delegation from Cape Town, South Africa, last week.
Maanda emphasised that the housing situation in Windhoek is primarily driven by migration to the city, as people move to the country's only major urban area in search of economic opportunities. He pointed out that Windhoek's population grows by 3.1% annually, with informal settlements experiencing a significantly higher growth rate of 6.1%. At this rate, the city's population is expected to double within 21 years.
To tackle this challenge, the municipality is implementing various policy measures and housing initiatives, including the informal settlement upgrading project and the affordable housing programme, he said.
The South African delegation, led by the city manager of Cape Town, Lungelo Mbandazayo, visited Windhoek for a five-day fact-finding trip.
Following the presentation, Mbandazayo urged the City to address informal settlements promptly, citing Cape Town's experience, where some individuals have illegally occupied public parks, and others have begun living in cemeteries.