EDITORIAL: Clarify low-cost housing scheme

The long wait for city residents to own affordable houses could soon be over. According to City of Kigali authorities, construction works on 1,000 new affordable housing units will start this financial year. This should give city dwellers, especially the low and middle-income earners, hope of owning a decent home. However, before city residents start celebrating, the authorities need to indicate the cost of these houses, as well as explain clearly how people can acquire these homes and the payment terms. Many a time what is referred to as ‘affordable houses’ have previously turned out to be for the high-end market, thus dashing the hopes of those at the bottom of the pyramid. So as residents save up to acquire own homes, city authorities should clearly indicate the target market to avoid exciting low-income earners yet the so-called affordable houses are probably out of their reach. The housing demand for decent homes in Kigali far outstrips supply. As such, the project is timely. However, city authorities need to double efforts to satisfy market demand for new houses that presently stands at over 30,000 units per annum. Only about 800-1,000 units are brought onto the market currently, according to a study commissioned by city authorities. The City of Kigali has previously worked with investors to provide residents low-cost housing like those in the Batsinda neighbourhood, but this was on a small scale and thus benefited very few people. The majority of city residents will, therefore, be looking to benefit from this initiative. Hopefully, residents who earn less than Rwf200,000 a month will be able to buy decent homes going forward. Though this remains work in progress, residents expect more affordable housing.

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EDITORIAL: Clarify low-cost housing scheme