NBS's Impressive Low Income Housing Project

In 2009, the United Nations Habitat warned Zimbabwe of the consequences of increased urbanisation and the need for adequate planning for services such as water and housing. Unfortunately, the warning went unheeded, and the country is now faced with an increasing number of people living in rented accommodation.

 According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), 42.7% of those surveyed during a recent national population and housing census have no permanent place to call home. This is a serious setback as the country aims to attain upper-middle-income status by 2030. The commissioning of the Dzivarasekwa (DZ) Housing Project by the National Building Society (NBS) in Zimbabwe towards the end of last year however, marks an important step forward in addressing the country's dire housing crisis.

The NBS DZ Housing Project is a positive step forward in addressing the country's housing crisis because it addresses two pressing problems that are facing Zimbabwe’s growing urban population. Most people are not exactly high-income earners and there is of course the fact that half the people in urban areas don’t own the houses they live in. The company's determination to play a significant role in the housing delivery sector should be commended. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of the crisis.

The DZ project, which comprises 500 low-cost housing units with different models ranging from 1-4 rooms and sitting on stands averaging 200 square metres, is a welcome development in a country where affordable housing is a major concern. The project boasts fully surfaced roads, and complete sewer and water works and has received the necessary approvals for occupation by clients. The compliance certification process is also at an advanced stage, which will soon be followed by the issuance of the title.

To date, NBS has delivered close to 2,000 housing units across Zimbabwe, a considerable achievement since the company's operations began in 2016 with a mere 85 units at Adelaide Park in Harare. The company's determination to play a significant role in the country's housing delivery sector is evident, and it has been able to achieve this with the support of its clients, partners, and stakeholders.

The National Building Society DZ Housing Project is a significant achievement in addressing Zimbabwe's housing crisis. However, more needs to be done to address the underlying issues that have contributed to the crisis. The government, local authorities, developers, and stakeholders must work together to ensure that adequate planning and resources are in place to provide affordable housing for all.