Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has challenged local manufacturers to step up production outputs to meet the increasing demand brought about by the Affordable Housing Program.
Speaking during the validation workshop for the National Housing Corporation 2023-2027 Strategic Plan in Nairobi, Hinga noted that the use of locally produced materials would also cut the overall cost of housing units under the programme.
Hinga called on the manufacturers to leverage large economies of scale as one way to bring down the cost of production.
“As Government, we shall do all that is necessary including providing infrastructure, providing land to private developers so that we can put up the units at an affordable price,” he said.
He added that the private sector has a big role to play in actualising the affordable housing dream.
Noting that Kenya was in the same economic league as Singapore in 1960, the PS said the reason the Asian-tiger economy took off faster than Kenya was because of prudent economic strategies in all sectors of development.
NHC being the lead implementer of the affordable housing programme, the PS noted that the Corporation will receive enough financial resources to roll out the projects across the country.
The NHC five-year Strategic Plan is anchored on five major pillars namely Housing, Finance, Estate Management, Research and Innovation and Corporate Sustainability.
NHC Managing Director/CEO David Mathu noted that the corporation plans to build over 100,000 units within five years.
“The Government plans to do one million housing units by the end of the financial years 2027/2028. Of this, the corporation will undertake to construct 110,000 housing units: 100,000 units will be under the Affordable Housing Programme, 5,000 units under the commercial band and a further 5,000 as student hostel rooms,” he said.
On the research and innovation pillar, Mathu said it is embracing new technologies that are environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
“As we embrace the digital age, it is imperative that we stay at the forefront of technological advancements. Our plan outlines specific initiatives and investments in a housing resource centre, which will be the hub of information on housing matters for scholars and researchers,” he said.
NHC Board Chairman Yusuf Chanzu noted that under the Financial pillar, the corporation will be seeking to put in place a sustainable financing model, entrench collaboration with individuals and institutions and establish a financial institution that would help it deliver low-cost housing to Kenyans
“Under the Estate Management pillar, the corporation will in the next five years seek to secure and conserve all its land against grabbers, and offer suitable and conducive housing units,” he said.
Chanzu added that NHC will redevelop the old schemes built in the 70s and 80s and settle squatters where need be.