By Arasha Soila
Nairobi, Kenya: The National Housing Corporation, on Monday 27th, launched its strategic plan for 2023-2027 and unveiled its new brand as it celebrated its 70th anniversary in Nairobi with the affordable housing agenda taking center stage.
Speaking during the ceremony, Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, Alice Wahome, highlighted the pivotal role the National Housing Corporation (NHC) has played since its inception. Wahome stated, “The NHC has become a pillar of stability in our country, fostering community development, economic growth, and social harmony.” Over the past seven decades, the NHC has delivered over 50,000 housing units across Kenya, impacting the lives of countless Kenyans.
“The diverse range of projects undertaken by the NHC includes affordable housing for low-income families and high-quality residences for the middle and upper classes,” Wahome said. She also highlighted the NHC’s role in developing comprehensive communities, complete with essential social amenities such as schools, hospitals, and recreational facilities.
Further, she noted that one of the most notable achievements of NHC is its commitment to sustainable development. Wahome emphasized the importance of integrating environmentally friendly practices into housing developments to meet the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and climate change. “In recent years the corporation has integrated green building practices into its projects and ensured that our housing solutions are environmentally friendly and resilient,” she stated. The CS underscored the NHC’s pivotal role in leading sustainable development in Kenya. “Our dedication to green building practices reflects our commitment to a sustainable future for all Kenyans. These initiatives will help us address environmental challenges and ensure our housing solutions are environmentally responsible.”
As Kenya continues to urbanize rapidly, the NHC’s focus on green housing is a forward-thinking approach that aligns with global sustainability goals. The corporation’s efforts will contribute significantly to the country’s environmental conservation and socio-economic development, setting a benchmark for future housing projects nationwide.
Further, she said that NHC’s comprehensive strategic plan 2023-2027 outlines their vision for the future and strategic initiatives that they will undertake to achieve their goals. Wahome highlighted the five key pillars of the plan including: increasing house supply to address the growing demand for housing which will involve the construction of new homes and renovating our existing stock. Secondly, the plan looks into promoting home ownership through initiatives such as mortgages, mortgage subsidies, low-interest loans, and rent-to-own schemes that will make home ownership accessible to a broader segment of our Kenyan population.
Additionally, the plan will enhance urban planning by collaborating with urban planners, architects, and local authorities to develop comprehensive plans that address the needs of the growing urban population. They also aim to foster community development through continued investment in the development of community facilities embrace technology and innovation and leverage smart technologies to improve the efficiencies and sustainability of their housing. The CS, concluded by reiterating their collective determination to fulfill this mandate and improve the living standards of urban dwellers across the nation urging stakeholders to foster collaboration and partnership in tackling the housing challenges.
Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, emphasized the importance of the affordable housing fund, stating, “The affordable housing fund is designed to construct affordable housing units across the country. The provision of housing units targeting the low-income demographic over-population is a critical goal of this legislation. The urgency to address the housing problem is further underscored by the rapid rate of urbanization, estimated at 4.4%, translating to about 500,000 new urban dwellers annually.”
Koskei highlighted the significant developments in the country noting, “Nairobi County is leading with over 64,000 units under development. This is further supported by the 200 units per constituency program, where 223 priority sites were identified for the development of over 162 projects, with the potential for at least 52,000 homes.”
The role of innovation and technology in addressing the housing challenge has also been embraced. “Innovation and technology remain our closest allies. With current technological advancements, we can deliver better quality and affordable units within a short time. The housing agenda is not just about building homes but also building communities,” Koskei said.
As the affordable housing program expands in the counties, Koskei pointed out the additional benefits: “Avenues for job and wealth creation for low-income settlements will be opened, transfer of skills, compliance with industry standards, and formalization of cottage industries will follow,” noted Koskei.
