Government, thanks to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Development, is now conducting a housing assessment needs research to solve the problem of affordable housing in the country.

Malepa Dibonwa, ministry’s principal public relations officer explains that the goal of this study is to provide a basis for evidence based planning and policy making.

“The assessment will guide policy makers on the type of housing needed, the impact of housing initiatives, identify gaps in housing and make projections on future housing needs. The study will ensure appropriate goals, strategies and priorities are developed,” he said.

Dibonwa said the study has not been completed yet as it was supposed to end this April.

“However, government have continued to recognise adequate and affordable housing as a basic need in the context of our implementation of the National Housing Policy’s Low-Income Housing Programme.

“This programme contains three components, which includes; Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) Home Improvement, Turnkey Development Scheme and Integrated Poverty Alleviation & Housing Scheme,” he said.

In addition the government has defined housing schemes such as Public Officers Housing Initiatives, Housing Scheme for Public Officers D4 and below, BHC housing and Third Party Projects, Installment Purchase Scheme (IPS) and Youth Housing Scheme.