EBH employees to get affordable housing

Walvis Bay ship repair company Elgin, Brown & Hamer (EBH) Namibia, has always heeded the call for the socio-economic uplifting of Namibia’s people through job creation, supporting the local communities in and around Walvis Bay.
This supportive ethos has now been taken an important step further, with the announcement of an affordable housing project for EBH Namibia’s employees.
“EBH Namibia has always been serious about social responsibility, and we have initiated a number of projects which are based on the needs of our local community. We decided to take our involvement in the community to the next level by addressing the local housing shortage,” said Hannes Uys, Chief Executive Officer of EBH Namibia.
It was when employees of EBH Namibia requested assistance from management to procure affordable housing that Uys decided to start researching the local housing market. Finding that there was a shortage of affordable housing in the area, the company approached the local council – on behalf of its employees – to facilitate the process of procuring land. In April 2014, EBH Namibia purchased 10,000 hectares of undeveloped land accordingly.
“The land will be developed in due course, and will be used exclusively for the housing project. The first time home-owners employed by EBH Namibia, who have previously not had access to affordable housing, will be given first option. They will purchase the houses directly from the developer, via bank-approved loans,” explained Uys. The company is in the final stages of awarding the tender to develop the land, and the successful developer will be announced thereafter.

“Like any sustainable project, we view this as a long-term process which has to be carefully planned. There is still much work to be done to prepare the land and create the relevant infrastructure before actual construction can take place,” said Uys.
“Housing remains a critical issue in Namibia and as contributors to the economy it is incumbent on the private sector, in partnership with government and other stakeholders, to ensure that our shared vision of improving the quality of life of all citizens of this country becomes a reality,” said Uys.
“As in any developing country, access to adequate housing is pivotal to social and economic well-being and progress,” he added.
He said,“We are thrilled to have come this far in initiating the process of establishing an affordable housing project; and are looking forward to the day when a number of our employees obtain something that every individual should have – the key to their own front door!”