The Ministry of Housing announced the allocation of 235 grants through the First Home Ownership Initiative to support aspiring home buyers in 2024. Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa made this statement in Parliament, revealing that by the end of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the ministry plans to process a total of 925 residential lots and distribute these grants to approximately 1,160 families over the next two financial years.
Minister Nalumisa emphasized that these initiatives will address over 75% of the annual demand for new homes, estimated at 1,600 units. Additionally, 49 families have already received offer letters for property purchases from the Public Rental Board (PRB) as of late January 2025.
To further develop housing options, there are currently 17 projects in planning, with nine projects in the engineering phase and 22 in preliminary planning. The Housing Authority has also issued a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the construction of model homes, inviting developers to propose designs for three different house types: pre-fabricated units, duplex homes, and strata units.
In the 2025 Product Service Delivery Plan, the ministry foresees the construction of 203 housing units and the development of 362 lots, with anticipated construction commencement in May 2025 and a six-month completion timeline. The ministry is also focused on expanding transitional housing options to assist individuals in moving from renting to home ownership, alongside collaborating on the finalization of a “Rent to Own” policy.
These ongoing initiatives signify a strong governmental commitment to addressing the housing challenges faced by families and enhancing their living conditions. The proactive measures taken by the ministry demonstrate hope for increased access to affordable housing options, contributing positively to the well-being of communities across the nation.
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