Allexer Namundjembo
The Usakos Town Council has signed agreement with the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) to formalise informal settlements and provide affordable housing to low-income residents
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed this week at the Usakos Town Council chambers, is part of the National Informal Settlement Upgrading Project (ISUP). The signing ceremony was attended by NHE chief executive officer Gisbertus Mukulu, local councillors, technical staff, and community representatives from the Saamstaan and Ongulumbashe areas.
Usakos mayor Irene Simeon said the partnership is a step towards addressing inequality and housing insecurity in the town.
“Together, we are choosing to say, no more to informal settlements. No more overcrowding. No more housing insecurity. We are laying bricks of opportunity, security, and dignity for every family in Usakos,” she said.
The agreement is part of the National Informal Settlement Upgrading Project (ISUP), under which NHE plans to build 2 000 housing units across the country by April 2026.
The number of units allocated to Usakos has not yet been confirmed.
The homes are designed to be affordable, with monthly repayment options starting at N$400 for a one-bedroom unit.
The model targets low- to middle-income earners, aiming to improve access to formal housing.
“The vision of the Usakos Town Council is not just about bricks and mortar. We envision inclusive neighbourhoods where young families, pensioners, and vulnerable people alike can thrive,” said Simeon.
Namibia’s housing backlog has remained a significant issue, with over 400,000 people living in shacks, according to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia.
ISUP has already been implemented in Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Otjiwarongo and is viewed as a step toward inclusive urban development.
Mukulu said the collaboration with local councils is yielding results.
“There has been a positive response from most local authorities we’ve engaged. We are seeing real momentum in delivering homes to those who’ve waited the longest.”
