Uasin Gishu County Projects’ Construction of 2000 Units Annually Under Affordable Housing Programme
Housing demand in Kenya is estimated at 250, 000 houses annually. With a supply of only 50,000 new houses annually, there is an 80% annual housing deficit. With these statistics, Uasin Gishu County is looking into going into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to construct at least 2,000 units annually to meet the growing demands for affordable homes by its residents.
Chief Officer Housing and Urban Development Mr. Julius Koech, while in a consultative meeting with the County Assembly Committee Members of the Department, discussed the need to fast track the policy on the formation of the County Housing Corporation that is set to be made into a unit that will manage housing assets for the County.
“The Department is already in progress with a pilot project at Macharia estates, that will see the construction of 700 units; this will enable the County to also collect revenue while ensuring that the County residents are in comfortable and affordable homes,” said Mr. Koech.
In his comments,Hon.Moses Kebenei-Simat/Kapseret ward ,who is also the Chair Committee for Lands and Physical Planning, said that with the expected massive construction works that will be undertaken in the County, youth who have pursued technical courses such as plumbing, electrical works and construction will be the biggest gainers as this is guaranteed to open doors for job opportunities.
His counterpart Hon. Francis Muiya MCA – Langas ward, lauded the Department for the initiative, promising to give all necessary support required from the legislative side.
Director Housing Ms. Beatrice Menjo comprehensively explained that the PPP will see the County Government go into an agreement with investors who would eventually sell the houses to the residents at affordable prices, and also ensure that the county is entitled to some percentage of the units to get revenue from.
Director Lands Ms. Nelly Jerotich assured the team of plans to ensure that all parcels of land that will be used in the project be identified and its documentation be availed for the smooth running of the project once it kicks off.
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