NHE reaffirms commitment to affordable housing

The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) has officially handed over 52 newly built houses in Okakarara, marking a milestone in the town’s housing development and reaffirming the enterprise’s commitment to addressing Namibia’s housing backlog.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mr Hasting Tjipueja, the deputy chairperson of the NHE Board of Directors, said the houses symbolise more than just structures of brick and mortar, noting that it represents security and a foundation upon which families can build their future generations.

The project, valued at N$12.2 million, commenced in September 2024 and was completed in July 2025, well ahead of schedule. It provided employment for 80 local workers, boosting livelihoods while expanding access to housing. This is the second major housing project undertaken by the NHE in Okakarara, following the delivery of 40 houses between 2020 and 2021. Together, the two projects have added 92 homes to the town’s housing stock.

Tjipueja emphasised NHE’s ambitious targets for the current financial year, which include the delivery of 905 houses under its regular projects and an additional 2,000 units through the national Informal Settlement Upgrading Project (ISUP). Since the start of the 2025/26 financial year on 1 July 2025, the enterprise has already delivered 185 houses.

“The response that NHE has received from local authorities to avail land for this noble project has been overwhelming, and we have already kickstarted activities in areas such as Swakopmund and Otjiwarongo,” said Tjipueja.

He further noted that the NHE has also intensified public education platforms to ensure that citizens understand the meaning and true impact of the ISUP, where beneficiaries stand to pay approximately N$400 per month.

“NHE has embraced the mandate to allocate and disburse houses with a sense of urgency and a call for accelerated service delivery to our people,” he said, pointing to ongoing allocations of 362 mass housing units in Windhoek and 24 in Opuwo.

NHE’s chief executive officer and chairperson of the Board of Directors, Mr Gisbertus Mukulu, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the project.

Mukulu celebrated the beneficiaries, urging them to honour their payment obligations to enable the NHE to expand housing delivery in Okakarara and beyond.

Officiating at the ceremony, Minister of Urban and Rural Development Sankwasa James Sankwasa has called for accelerated efforts to tackle Namibia’s housing crisis, describing the shortage of decent shelter as an emergency.

“The government has made resources available for land and housing delivery, which I expect these implementers to utilise for the benefit of our people. We are ready to work with those who are ready to execute and speedily provide housing to our people throughout the 14 regions of our country,” said Sankwasa.

The handover demonstrates that with aligned commitment, planning and resources, meaningful progress is possible. It offers hope that more Namibians will soon enjoy access to decent, affordable housing, strengthening communities across the country.

Maggie Forcelledo Paz