Housing blueprint unveiled

GOVERNMENT intends to construct over 220, 000 conventional houses annually between now and 2030 to bridge the housing gap.

Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister, Vincent Mwale, said construction of over 220, 000 annually was necessary to avoid the projected 3.3 million housing shortage which would be accrued by 2030

Mr Mwale said this yesterday in Lusaka during the official launch of the 2020-2024 National Housing Policy and Implementation Plan.

He explained that the 2020-2024 housing implementation plan was aimed at providing affordable and decent housing for all by 2030.

Mr Mwale said the policy would also promote equitable access to land for housing development, as well as to facilitate access to land for housing finance.

He said decent housing was not just vital to Zambian families, but also to the community as a whole.

Mr Mwale said increasing the number and improving the quality of housing presented a challenge for Zambia due to rapid urbanisation.

He said Zambia's inadequate capacity to respond to population growth and poor integrated planning had contributed to the rising housing deficit.

"In order to bridge the existing housing gap, over 220, 000 conventional housing units need to be constructed annually between now and 2030," Mr Mwale said.

Given the multi-sectoral approach to housing development, he said, the plan would offer guidance on how all stakeholders could mainstream housing issues in their sectors.

Meanwhile, UN resident coordinator to Zambia, Coumba Mar Gardio, commended Government for formulating the policy which would promote dignity to the Zambian citizens.

Ms Gardio pledged the UN's total support towards the implementation of the policy and ensure the realization of the aspirations of Zambians were achieved by 2030.