Land delivery is too slow
Alternative construction materials and alternative financing methods are needed to deliver affordable housing, a property developer says.
Property developer Erastus Nikodemus says the current town planning processes in local authorities are to be blamed for the delay in land delivery and addressing the housing crisis in the country.
“The bureaucratic nature of the town planning process is causing delays in land delivery and therefore causes frustration especially to property developers and prospective home buyers,” Nikodemus said.
According to Nikodemus effective land and housing delivery is also hindered by financing to service the land and the high cost of construction material, which has an effect on house prices in the end.
“For these reasons, entrepreneurs, various stakeholders and councils need to adapt creative and innovative solutions in addressing these problems,” Nikodemus said at the official opening of the Eenhana Expo last week.
Nikodemus said a scarcity of serviced land has made it difficult for developers to deliver affordable housing.
“There is a serious lack of serviced land in Namibia and it is therefore the responsibility of all stakeholders such as the regional and town councils, the private sector, the government, property developers and commercial financiers to ensure that affordable land for the poorest group is made available, in order to construct starter homes,” Nikodemus explained.
He added that in order to meet the government halfway in addressing the housing needs, his company would develop a long-term plan of providing alternative housing methods.
“Within the next five years, we want to have implemented alternative construction materials and alternative financing methods to cater for affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. Through the provision of these methods, we will restore the dignity of the Namibian people in a way that they can afford and have houses of their own.”
He however noted that in order to achieve this they would need to explore creative ways to deepen their relationship with the government and other stakeholders, which should be a relationship based on honesty, integrity and fairness.
Nikodemus further called on the banks to find a way to finance houses constructed with alternative materials and not just those constructed with bricks and mortar.
Regarding the role local authorities have to play, he said they should make land available at heavily subsidised prices.
“We believe that our partnership with all vital players will contribute towards the alleviation and reduction of housing shortages,” Nikodemus said.
Deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndiatwah thanked Nikodemus for his contribution to the development of Eenhana.
“I am reliably informed that Nikodemus is a significant investor in Eenhana. What is more gratifying is that he is investing in a sector that has been identified by the government among the four developmental priorities since independence to date,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
“I am specifically referring to the housing sector that remains a challenge throughout the country. Nikodemus, your commitment to pull together in the same direction for the betterment of our people epitomises the spirit of Harambee,” Nandi-Ndaiwah said.
Nikodemus's company acquired land through a public-private partnership with the Eenhana town council in 2012 and has built 230 houses for middle-income groups.
Currently, Nikodemus Holdings is building 600 houses for low-income earners at Omhito extension 2 and 3.
KENYA KAMBOWE
“The bureaucratic nature of the town planning process is causing delays in land delivery and therefore causes frustration especially to property developers and prospective home buyers,” Nikodemus said.
According to Nikodemus effective land and housing delivery is also hindered by financing to service the land and the high cost of construction material, which has an effect on house prices in the end.
“For these reasons, entrepreneurs, various stakeholders and councils need to adapt creative and innovative solutions in addressing these problems,” Nikodemus said at the official opening of the Eenhana Expo last week.
Nikodemus said a scarcity of serviced land has made it difficult for developers to deliver affordable housing.
“There is a serious lack of serviced land in Namibia and it is therefore the responsibility of all stakeholders such as the regional and town councils, the private sector, the government, property developers and commercial financiers to ensure that affordable land for the poorest group is made available, in order to construct starter homes,” Nikodemus explained.
He added that in order to meet the government halfway in addressing the housing needs, his company would develop a long-term plan of providing alternative housing methods.
“Within the next five years, we want to have implemented alternative construction materials and alternative financing methods to cater for affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. Through the provision of these methods, we will restore the dignity of the Namibian people in a way that they can afford and have houses of their own.”
He however noted that in order to achieve this they would need to explore creative ways to deepen their relationship with the government and other stakeholders, which should be a relationship based on honesty, integrity and fairness.
Nikodemus further called on the banks to find a way to finance houses constructed with alternative materials and not just those constructed with bricks and mortar.
Regarding the role local authorities have to play, he said they should make land available at heavily subsidised prices.
“We believe that our partnership with all vital players will contribute towards the alleviation and reduction of housing shortages,” Nikodemus said.
Deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndiatwah thanked Nikodemus for his contribution to the development of Eenhana.
“I am reliably informed that Nikodemus is a significant investor in Eenhana. What is more gratifying is that he is investing in a sector that has been identified by the government among the four developmental priorities since independence to date,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
“I am specifically referring to the housing sector that remains a challenge throughout the country. Nikodemus, your commitment to pull together in the same direction for the betterment of our people epitomises the spirit of Harambee,” Nandi-Ndaiwah said.
Nikodemus's company acquired land through a public-private partnership with the Eenhana town council in 2012 and has built 230 houses for middle-income groups.
Currently, Nikodemus Holdings is building 600 houses for low-income earners at Omhito extension 2 and 3.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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