WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA — The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) is grappling with a significant housing backlog, with over 120,000 individuals on its waiting list since 2005, amid broader challenges that include affordability and access to serviced land.

According to Namibia Press Agency, who spoke at the Government Information Centre on Tuesday, the housing backlog totals 300,000, with the highest demand in the Khomas and Erongo regions, which have 33,000 and 35,000 applicants, respectively. The northern regions also have a substantial waiting list of 22,000 applicants, while the southern and northeastern regions together account for another 15,000.

Since its establishment in 1993, the NHE has constructed 21,545 houses but faces a stark reality where 40 to 45 percent of Namibians cannot afford conventional housing. In response, the NHE has initiated programs to build more affordable units without finishes, such as tiles, to reduce costs. These units range from bachelor flats priced between N.dollars 70,000 to N.dollars 80,000, to three-bedroom houses nearing N.dollars 200,000, making them accessible to ultra-low and low-income earners.

Mukulu explained that these housing models allow occupants to enhance their homes incrementally as their financial situations improve, ensuring that housing remains within reach for more Namibians. In addition to catering to lower-income groups, the NHE also provides for middle-income earners through services like building loans for plot owners or those looking to expand existing homes.

Challenges facing the NHE include the scarcity and high cost of serviced land, the credit readiness of clients, escalating building material costs, and limited funding, all of which complicate efforts to address the housing crisis effectively.