Construction of affordable housing units to start in June

The government intends to build at least 200 housing units per constituency in the 2023/24 financial year, under the affordable housing project.

Housing principal secretary Charles Hinga, says that plan for the construction of the houses had already been put in place with the building of the first housing units set to begin in June, 2023. 

The PS, who spoke during a meeting with the Senate Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing, said the construction of the units are set to be completed in about a year’s time. 

The housing project is part of the commitment by the Kenya Kwanza administration to put up decent housing for Kenyans. 

He added that the move also seeks to dignify life for most urban dwellers who he argues lacked proper housing and drainage systems as has been the case in most informal settlements across the country. 

“Every urban area has a slum,” Hinge told the committee. “According to the 2019 census, we have 1411 informal settlements in Kenya. We have 6.5 million flying toilets in Kenyan slums hence the need for decent and affordable housing” the PS said. 

Dr Hinga who appeared before the committee alongside Lands cabinet secretary Zachariah Mwangi, also expressed confidence that the government has taken away the Value Added Tax on Affordable Housing Programme, all levies and fees.

“We have reduced the cost of a three-bedroomed from the commercial price of Sh11 million to Sh3 million,” said Dr Hinga. 

In the Affordable Housing Programme, a one-bedroom house will be sold at Sh1 million, two bedrooms at Sh2 million and three bedrooms at Sh3 million. 

The tenants will pay the loans for 30 years at the monthly installment of Sh5000 for one bedroom, Sh10,000 for 2 bedrooms units and 3 bedrooms units will go for Sh15,000 per month.