By Clifford Akumu
Majority of African countries are facing a housing crisis as a result of high population growth, increased urbanization and low supply of affordable housing, says housing development financier.
Speaking in Nairobi at the inauguration of Karibu Homes, a low-cost housing project financed by the organization, Shelter Afrique Chairman Daniel Nghidinua said the situation is compounded by lack of affordable housing finance, high cost of urban land and weak tenure security, rising construction costs, and rapid growth in slums
The company is now calling for a stronger public-private-partnership to address the shortage.
“These high growth rates have given rise to a surge in the demand for urban infrastructure and housing in urban areas. Unfortunately urban planning and investment in housing are often lagging behind resulting in housing deficits. The surge in demand for housing in turn has driven up housing prices and often pushed quality housing out of rich for the majority, especially the poor, low, and middle-income households,” Mr. Nghidinua said.
Andrew Chimphondah,
Shelter Afrique managing director
Shelter Afrique managing director Andrew Chimphondah said several countries in the continent are facing huge housing backlog, adding that urgent action was needed to stave-off the crisis.
“It doesn’t matter which country you are referring to any more. Uganda is facing an annual deficit of 1.6 million housing units, Kenya 2 million housing units, Tanzania 3 million housing units, South Africa 3 million housing units, and Nigeria 17 million housing units – wherever you go, it’s a crisis and it is incumbent upon us to heed the call to action,” Mr. Chimphondah said.
Mr. Nghidinua noted that even though the housing backlog was a challenge, it wasn’t insurmountable, adding that Shelter Afrique was committed to affordable housing for all in Africa and that the organization was keen on forging smart partnerships aimed at creating growth with scale.
“We believe this challenge represents an opportunity for coordinated actions and investments by various governments, private sector players, and communities across the continent. Through smart partnerships we want to focus on the lower end of the affordable housing market chain to be able to address this housing crisis,” Mr. Nghidinua said.
In a recent report, the UN Habitat blamed the huge housing deficits in Africa to poor response of governments to the issue, ignorance by governments on the housing issue, land delivery systems, urban planning and poor organization of construction sectors in most African countries.
The report further stated the continent requires 4 million housing units per year to cover its housing needs.
