Overcrowding rocks Harare flats

Harare Residents Trust has claimed that there is serious over crowding at many flats in Harare signifying the need for holistic approach to the national housing problem in the country.

The trust said the council accommodation such as flats and single rooms is in a state of disrepair and has become unaffordable.

"There is serious overcrowding in flats and council houses. This has really compromised the African traditional values of privacy of the family unit as adults and kids share single rooms," said the trust. "Cooperatives that are spearheading housing allocation are more inclined towards political rhetoric where desperate home seekers have to pay huge amounts before they are eventually allocated a house, with some even dying before accessing the built houses."

The trust said repossessions of houses from defaulters and dependents of cooperative members are rampant, which leaves the poor still marginalised and open to exploitation.

"The HRT shall lobby the local authority to provide land for housing development projects by residents in overcrowded areas especially council owned properties," said the trust. "The responsibility of stands allocation and plan approval should be restored to Dos.  It shall be the policy of the HRT to ensure that the City of Harare provides decent shelter or accommodation to residents on the housing waiting list in hostels, flats or rented properties."