Affordable housing a priority

The Windhoek municipal council remains poised to create better living conditions for all. Elaine Trepper, mayor of Windhoek, gave this assurance at the council’s fifth monthly meeting held on Wednesday.
“The City of Windhoek remains cognisant of the fact that although shelter is a basic right which may be enjoyed by every citizen, there are those who cannot afford it due to varying socio-economic conditions such as unemployment and the cost of land,” Trepper said.
She added that the council now views the fast tracking of the servicing of land as a priority, as this will address acute housing shortages.
The Windhoek municipality is currently piloting a public private partnership approach on the servicing of land and construction will start in Extension 1 of the Academia suburb, where a total of 495 erven will be availed within an 8-month period.
Trepper also expressed satisfaction over the progress that has been made with the N$110 million received from central government as part of a Targeted Intervention Programme for Employment and Economic Growth (TIPEEG) grant, despite “bureaucratic hiccups and a lack of clear guidelines.” The funds are being utilised to service land and provide basic services in the low income areas.
“Through the TIPEEG project, more than 2 000 erven will be serviced within the tendered period. We are also looking forward to receiving additional government transfer as part of the N$310 million allocated to the City in 2011 over the three years period,” Trepper said.