Overcrowding in informal settlements is pushing people to live on the streets, according to Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection. In an interview with The Lens@177, she highlighted the government’s efforts to partner with faith-based organizations and other agencies to provide affordable housing and support for those living on the streets.
Tabuya emphasized that the issue of street homelessness is closely tied to the overcrowding in informal and squatter settlements. She noted the alarming situation where multiple families often share a single home. “We have families of two, three, or even four living together. While the government provides direct support, the conditions in these homes remain cramped,” she explained. Many men who become street dwellers indicated that they leave home to avoid being a burden, choosing instead to let their wives and children stay in limited space.
To address these challenges, the minister stated that the government is focused on developing affordable housing for the most vulnerable populations. She affirmed that the Ministry of Housing, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, is actively working on a nationwide affordable housing scheme, aiming to construct thousands of homes for those in need.