Finally: Heaven’s Ark gets a plot to build 200 houses for the poor

Members from the Heaven’s Ark Housing Project who waited four years for the City of Windhoek Council to approve their application for two plots in Otjomuise to build 1000 houses was given the go ahead at the monthly council meeting on Wednesday.
Although the matter was addressed in last month’s council meeting agenda, it was referred back to the City’s management committee in order for the CEO to take note of the additional information received on the projects application and that the latter be accorded the opportunity to address the committee, where after the application was resubmitted to the Council for consideration.
The members of the project who attended the meeting this week could not contain their happiness upon hearing that the council had recommended their application to buy Erf 863 for N$3,527 500 as a pilot project to construct low cost housing.
“We are happy and very excited, we waited for four years for the application to come before the council. Although the council only approved one of our two plots because the second plot is not serviced yet, what is important is that we can now construct 200 houses on Erf 863,” said Johanna Links, secretary of the Heaven’s Ark Housing Project.
The council also resolved that in the event of the project being successfully executed, the project be afforded to expand its proposed development by purchasing Erf 864 for an amount to be determined by the strategic executives: planning, urbanisation and environment. This option will expire within 12 months from the date of the Council resolution.
The management of the project should sign the deed of sale not later than 60 days after the Council made the decision.
The Heaven’s Ark Housing project is a savings group that is registered with the Ministry of Health and Social Service. The project, which aims to build 1000 houses for its members’ main objective is to make affordable housing in the community a reality for the poor through partnerships with local businesses and service entities including the Government and local and foreign investors.