Stakeholders across Africa have tasked governments on the need to tackle housing crisis among the low-income and informal workers across the continent. While suggesting solutions to the housing crisis, the stakeholders urged Africa governments to prioritise housing for the low – income group, informal workers, women and children.
They pointed out that the solutions have become imperative for countries across Africa following the estimated housing deficit of 130 million units by 2030. They noted that 54 million Africans presently live in urban slums.
Nigeria leads other countries with an estimated housing deficit of over 15 million units followed by Egypt – 20 million units, Democratic Republic of Congo – 4 million units and South Africa – 3. 7 units.
They listed challenges peculiar to affordable housing delivery in Africa to include rapidly growing population, rapid urbanisation driven by insecurity, climate change and economics, poor urban planning and land use, poor infrastructure and housing finance crisis, among others.
They pointed out that the low-income earners are not only disadvantaged in several ways because of their income levels, but look for any available space to occupy, irrespective of its quality, security and the existential threats posed. “Housing inadequacy for the low-income population is the beginning of vulnerability and all its attendant problems that include crime,” one of the experts said.
Rising from their deliberations during the 20th Anniversary (Legacy Edition) of the Africa International Housing Show in Abuja, Nigeria, participants comprising ministers, governors, members of parliament, Mayors, development finance institutions, multilateral agencies, UN-Habitat, investors, mortgage institutions, housing cooperatives, developers, professionals, researchers, financial institutions, manufacturers, youth leaders and civil society organisations declared that affordable housing must be recognised as a strategic national development priority and a key instrument for poverty reduction, job creation and economic growth. They urged that every African country should develop a National Affordable Housing Strategy with measurable annual housing delivery targets.
In the forum themed:”Housing Solutions for Low-Income and Informal Workers in Africa,” stakeholders appealed to governments to increase annual budgetary allocations to affordable housing and supporting infrastructure. “African governments should prioritise housing for low-income earners, informal workers, women, youth and persons living with disabilities. “Land administration systems should be modernised through digitalisation, simplified land registration and reduced transaction costs. “Governments should establish fast-track approval systems for affordable housing developments, the stakeholders said in a communique.
They enjoined housing finance institutions to develop mortgage products specifically designed for informal sector workers using alternative methods of assessing income.
Besides, they canvassed that housing cooperatives should become a major delivery platform for affordable home ownership across Africa. According to them, African governments should strengthen partnerships with pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds and private investors to finance affordable housing.
Also, they urged Development Finance Institutions to expand concessional funding for affordable housing projects across Africa, while governments should encourage local production of building materials to reduce construction costs. While enjoining African countries to promote innovative and alternative building technologies that lower housing costs while maintaining quality, the stakeholders appealed to governments to provide tax incentives and fiscal support for developers delivering verified affordable housing.
According to them, housing policies should deliberately promote women and youth participation in housing development, ownership and construction value chains. “African cities should prioritise slum upgrading, urban regeneration and climate-resilient settlements instead of forced evictions,” they said
The experts called for the adoption of digital technology, Artificial Intelligence and data systems, saying they should be integrated into housing planning, land management and mortgage administration.
“Transparency, accountability and anti-corruption measures should be strengthened throughout the real estate sector. Strong collaboration among governments, the private sector and development partners should become the primary model for housing delivery, “they said.
The stakeholders urged African governments to harmonise housing policies and encourage cross-border investment in real estate, while AIHS should establish an Annual Africa Affordable Housing Performance Index to monitor the implementation of these resolutions. They called on the African Union to adopt affordable housing as a continental development priority and encourage nember states to implement the recommendations of the declaration, while reaffirming their commitment to work collectively towards ensuring that every African has access to decent, safe, affordable and sustainable housing.
