The Ministry of Housing has unveiled a significant initiative aimed at supporting aspiring homeowners in 2024 by allocating 235 grants through the First Home Ownership Initiative. During a session in Parliament, Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa outlined plans that aim to process 925 residential lots and provide grants to approximately 1,160 families over the upcoming two fiscal years.
Minister Nalumisa highlighted that these efforts are set to meet over 75% of the annual demand for new homes, which is estimated at 1,600 units. As part of this initiative, 49 families have already received offer letters for property purchases from the Public Rental Board (PRB) as of late January 2025.
To further address housing needs, the ministry is actively involved in 17 projects currently in the planning stage, with nine in the engineering phase and 22 at the preliminary planning level. The Housing Authority has also initiated a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to developers, seeking innovative proposals for three different types of model homes: pre-fabricated units, duplex homes, and strata units.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Product Service Delivery Plan, the ministry anticipates the construction of 203 housing units and the development of 362 lots. They expect construction to commence in May 2025, with a projected six-month completion timeline. Moreover, the ministry is keen on expanding transitional housing options to facilitate the journey from renting to homeownership, as well as finalizing a “Rent to Own” policy.
These initiatives reflect the government’s strong commitment to alleviating housing challenges and improving living standards for families. The proactive steps taken represent a hopeful outlook for enhancing access to affordable housing, which is crucial for fostering community well-being across the nation.
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