Staff Writer
The Cuvelai Special Housing Scheme Fund was launched on 21 November 2025 in Keetmanshoop, marking the start of one of Namibia’s largest housing programmes.
The fund aims to build 100 000 affordable homes across the country within five years. The first phase targets 10 000 units, including 2 142 homes planned for Keetmanshoop. The scheme was created to help reduce the national housing backlog, estimated at between 300 000 and 500 000 units. It focuses on providing affordable homes to armed forces members, teachers, nurses, civil servants and informal sector workers.
The deputy minister of urban and rural development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, officiated the launch and said the government supports the programme.
“This initiative mobilises long-term institutional capital to create sustainable housing solutions for underserved communities,” she said.
She praised the Keetmanshoop municipality for allocating land for more than 2 000 homes and encouraged other local authorities to support similar developments.
She said the ministry is ready to work with Cuvelai and its partners to speed up the delivery of affordable homes in all regions.
|Karas governor Dawid Gertze welcomed guests and said Keetmanshoop’s selection as a priority site brings hope to the region.
“This is not just a housing project. This is about restoring dignity, creating jobs and revitalising our regional economy,” he said.
He said the project could create more than 2 000 direct and indirect jobs at its peak and urged residents to see the initiative as a driver of long-term growth.
Edwin Tjiramba, the general manager for marketing and stakeholder engagement at the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), said the Cuvelai project complements the Pension Backed Home Loan Scheme, which launches nationally on 12 January 2026.
“What good is the ability to access part of your pension for a home if affordable houses do not exist?” he questioned.
He said GIPF has invested N$2.2 billion in housing and serviced land and has set aside N$900 million for the first rollout of the PBHLS. He added that Cuvelai’s house prices, set at N$250 000 for a two-bedroom unit, N$350 000 for a three-bedroom unit and N$400 000 for a four-bedroom unit, fall within the affordability range for GIPF members. He said Cuvelai and GIPF together can expand access to homeownership for many Namibians.
Cuvelai chief executive officer Seija Amaambo spoke about the importance of housing and said it provides dignity and security.
“A home is not just a structure; it is dignity, security and belonging. When you give a family a home, you give them the foundation to dream, grow and stand tall.”
She said Cuvelai’s mission is to connect finance with communities through a team of specialists in engineering, town planning, architecture, finance and housing development.
The executive chairperson of Cuvelai, Baronice Hans, thanked all partners for supporting the project.
She noted that it aligns with the President’s commitment to deliver 50 000 houses in five years.
She added that Cuvelai will continue working with mortgage and home loan providers such as 20Twenty Financial Solutions Mortgage Company, First Capital Namibia and Kuleni Financial Services.
“A tree cannot stand without its roots. Today we honour the roots, our partners, our communities and our shared purpose that make this vision possible,” she said.
The project aims to build 100 000 homes in five years. Phase one will deliver 10 000 homes, including 2 142 for Keetmanshoop. Home prices are set at nearly half the national market average.
More than 2 000 jobs are expected in Keetmanshoop. Homes are designed to match financing available through PBHLS and traditional mortgage products. Beneficiaries include lower- and middle-income Namibians who have struggled to access formal housing markets.
