Government says it is currently constructing 200 housing units under the phased Social Housing Programme targeting vulnerable individuals who are registered under the Social Cash Transfers Programme.
Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Charles Milupi says some of the 200 housing units are already completed in Central, Eastern, Southern and Western provinces.
ZANIS reports that the Minister said this when he officiated at the 2024 National Housing Forum in Lusaka being hosted under the theme, “Unlocking, Strengthening and Repositioning the housing value chain towards affordable and decent housing for all by 2030.”
Mr Milupi indicated that government is committed to ensuring that Zambian live in habitable settlements with decent housing and basic support infrastructure.
He said government is also committed to ensure that citizens have proper solid waste management facilities, energy supply, paved streets, drainage systems, and access to water and sanitation.
Mr Milupi stated that his ministry has embarked on many interventions in addressing the housing challenge in the country which includes the commencement of construction of four homes for the aged in chinsali, ndola, choma, and mongu districts which are part of phase one.
He explained that the ministry has plans to build similar facilities in each of the ten provinces, and eventually scale up to the district level.
“The ministry is dedicated to improving settlements across the country. For instance, we are implementing a project in luangwa district that focuses on enhancing living conditions with a strong emphasis on climate resilience. these initiatives are vital to our broader strategy of providing decent and affordable housing for all Zambians,” he added.
Mr Milupi further disclosed that government is embarking on a very ambitious building programme which will set the construction of thousands of houses through private sector initiatives.
He further called on stakeholders to support government’s effort in improving housing delivery in the country.
And speaking at the same forum, Habitat for Humanity Zambia Board Chairperson, Maureen Mwanawasa, commended government’s efforts to prioritise housing in the national agenda.
Dr Mwanawasa pledged Habitant’s continued support by working together with government to ensure that every Zambian has a decent home.
She highlighted job creation, GDP growth, infrastructure development, increased tax revenue and economic multiplier effects as some of the economic impacts of housing construction in Africa.
Meanwhile, National Housing Authority Board Chairperson, Nalukui Milapo disclosed that the authority’s interventions is to ensure decent housing for all Zambians.
Dr Milapo said the authority has partnered with a Chinese company which will be launched in a months’ time to set up a factory that will accelerate the construction of the national houses by manufacturing three manufacturing materials.
She noted that the authority has entered into agreements with local authority to provide the necessary resource which is land because it is keen to provide decent infrastructure for all Zambians.
