https://www.veritaszim.net/node/6046

Dec. 6, 2022

Progress made in last 100 day cycle in terms of housing :
1)Dzivaresekwa Flats Development in Harare Province, overall progress for Blocks 7,8,9 and 10 stands at 71.59%; 
2)Binga Housing Project in Matabeleland North Province, overall progress stands at 70%, while construction of 17 x 3 roomed cottages is at 98% of completion;
3)at the Mpumalanga Infrastructure Development Project in Hwange District of Matabeleland North Province, construction of water and sewer reticulation is at 66%; roads and storm water drains at 74%; and
4)The Marondera Flats Housing Project in Mashonaland East Province, the construction of 4 x 4 storey blocks of flats (64 units) for civil servants housing overall progress is 73%.
 

4 funded blocks of flats at Dzivarasekwa being constructed to house relocated households

4 funded blocks of flats at Dzivarasekwa being constructed to house relocated households, stands at 58.33% completion. At the Senga Messengers’ Camp in Gweru, four blocks of flats are currently under construction by a private contractor, and an additional four blocks are being constructed at the site by Government. Four blocks of flats are also under construction in Marondera, while in Lupane the contractor has since moved to site to commence operations for the construction of residential flats at the Government Offices’ site

Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy Launched.

The Zimbabwe National Human Settlements' launch serves the purpose of addressing the housing and social amenities backlog as well as redress the issue of illegal settlements.

Constructions underway

In Harare: two blocks of 4 storey 3 bedroom flats constructed for accommodating doctors in Marimba were ready for commissioning. Contracts have been signed for the Dzivaresekwa Flats project where 16 x 4 storey blocks of 3 bedroom flats are under construction. The delivery of materials has commenced, and artisans have been recruited. Under the Beitbridge Re-development Project on Housing Delivery, Cabinet was informed that the construction of a sewer line servicing 28 houses and the surrounding neighbourhood was completed and is now ready for commissioning in Hwange. Works have commenced at the Mpumalanga High Density Stands, while the layout plan for the 37 stands intented to benefit victims of previous floods in Binga was completed

Housing projects

In Harare: two blocks of 4 storey 3 bedroom flats constructed for accommodating doctors in Marimba were ready for commissioning. Contracts have been signed for the Dzivaresekwa Flats project where 16 x 4 storey blocks of 3 bedroom flats are under construction. The delivery of materials has commenced, and artisans have been recruited. Under the Beitbridge Re-development Project on Housing Delivery, Cabinet was informed that the construction of a sewer line servicing 28 houses and the surrounding neighbourhood was completed and is now ready for commissioning in Hwange. Works have commenced at the Mpumalanga High Density Stands, while the layout plan for the 37 stands intented to benefit victims of previous floods in Binga was completed and a contractor will be ready to commence works by 31 August, 2021

Low-cost housing

570 low-cost housing units have been constructed in the first quarter of this year, despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 569 housing units were constructed and completed out of a targeted 2 000 units for the quarter.

$1,35bn for 220 000 houses

$1,35 billion was allocated in the 2021 National Budget towards the National Housing Fund as Government seeks to build 220 000 houses and flats by 2025 in line with the National Development Strategy (NDS1) and Vision 2030.

Construction of two block of flats to house medical doctors

The Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities informed Cabinet that construction of two block of flats to house medical doctors at Marimba in Harare had seen 20% of plastering being achieved so far. Treasury has released ZW$41 million towards completion of the outstanding works. 

Cabinet considered and approved the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy

The policy will introduce a raft of changes that will ensure that planning, development and management of settlements is in line with national and international disaster risk reduction frameworks, and with environmental and climate change policies, laws and standards.  This will help address huge housing and social amenities backlog as well as widening disparities between rural and urban areas. It is also expected to reduce the high costs of building materials and housing finance. Part of the provisions of the policy at least 40 percent of new housing projects will be reserved for the construction of high-rise buildings to curb the unrestricted spread of settlements and promote modern housing infrastructure. 

Housing scheme for informal traders

A housing finance mechanism that includes those self-employed in small businesses and the informal section, but with capacity to repay their loans is being considered by government. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said traditional mortgage financing was inadequate considering that it was tailor-made for those in formal employment who get payslips every month and have guarantors.

Continuation of the development agenda

Speaking after touring Batanai Housing Project in Chinhoyi, where three financial institutions have combined to build 1 640 housing units, the Vice President mentioned that while Zimbabwe expects the West to lift the sanctions, it is forging ahead with its development agenda. Zimbabwe’s development agenda, as espoused by President Mnangagwa through Vision 2030, seeks to transform the country into an upper middle-income economy by 2030. VP Mohadi said whether the nation remains under the yoke of the illegal sanctions, a target of 200 000 housing units by 2023 and half-a-million units by 2030 was attainable through concerted efforts by various stakeholders within the housing delivery chain.

Housing target in sight

 VicePresident Mohadi, accompanied by relevant ministers had a tour of outstanding Government housing projects  to have a feel of the needs and situation on the ground so as to take make corrective measures. Under the current housing development policy, Government would immediately commit more resources to complete 16 duplex flats, 52 F14 houses and several garden flats to accommodate scores of civil servants deployed to Beitbridge.

Initiation of the roll out of the Kasese Housing Development Project in Kariba.

Zimbabwe is on course to providing decent housing in line with attaining Vision 2030 of an upper middle income economy, Vice President Kembo Mohadi said while touring the Kasese Housing Development Project in Kariba.

Government has taken over the financing of the project to expedite the relocation of 390 families living in squalid conditions under a 330KVA power line in Mahombekombe Township.

With provision of decent housing and improvement of people’s lives prioritised, financing and building models for housing across the country are being explored through a public-private sector initiative.

Housing backlog now at 1,4 million

The National Building Society (NBS) is a self-sustaining entity that is delivering projects through partnerships with the private sector and to date has completed 840 housing units, which cost USD$17,1 million. Planned projects will add 9 125 more units.