News / National
Govt urged to give provision of housing under empowerment drive
06 May 2012 at 04:32hrs | Views
Government has been called upon to consider the provision of housing as part of the ongoing indigenisation and empowerment drive.
The call was made by representatives of housing co-operatives and low-cost housing companies at a meeting aimed at discussing the problems faced by home-seekers in Harare last week.
"It's important for Government to allocate time and resources and designate housing as one of its empowerment components as it moves ahead with the empowerment drive," said Mr Jethro Rombwa, a spokesman for Vantage Affordable Housing Company.
"The advent of independence in 1980 saw ordinary Zimbabweans being able to access loans in the form of mortgages to buy already built houses, but this was mainly confined to those who were formally employed.
"The majority of Zimbabweans had to turn to co-operatives and housing development trusts to collectively acquire land when they realised that local authorities were not serving their purposes.
"However, it has since been noted that co-operatives need support and there is scope for private companies, like Vantage, to complement Government efforts by helping members of various co-operatives put up requisite services such water, sewer and roads by providing a micro-credit facility."
A member of Imba Kuvanhu Housing Co-operative, Mr Charles Munetsi, noted that most co-operatives were finding it difficult to access funding from banks due to a lack of collateral.
"The co-operatives were given land by Government, but they cannot forge ahead with development because of lack of funding," said Mr Munetsi.
"The banks do not seem to be keen on extending credit facilities to housing co-operatives and, as such, some people's dreams of owning a house are failing to turn into reality.
"Empowerment is not only about owning shares.
"What benefit is it for one to own a stake in a company when he doesn't have a decent house of his own?
"There is need for greater co-operation between Government, housing co-operatives and low-cost housing companies so that the ordinary man really feels empowered through the ownership of a house," he said.
The call was made by representatives of housing co-operatives and low-cost housing companies at a meeting aimed at discussing the problems faced by home-seekers in Harare last week.
"It's important for Government to allocate time and resources and designate housing as one of its empowerment components as it moves ahead with the empowerment drive," said Mr Jethro Rombwa, a spokesman for Vantage Affordable Housing Company.
"The advent of independence in 1980 saw ordinary Zimbabweans being able to access loans in the form of mortgages to buy already built houses, but this was mainly confined to those who were formally employed.
"The majority of Zimbabweans had to turn to co-operatives and housing development trusts to collectively acquire land when they realised that local authorities were not serving their purposes.
"However, it has since been noted that co-operatives need support and there is scope for private companies, like Vantage, to complement Government efforts by helping members of various co-operatives put up requisite services such water, sewer and roads by providing a micro-credit facility."
A member of Imba Kuvanhu Housing Co-operative, Mr Charles Munetsi, noted that most co-operatives were finding it difficult to access funding from banks due to a lack of collateral.
"The co-operatives were given land by Government, but they cannot forge ahead with development because of lack of funding," said Mr Munetsi.
"The banks do not seem to be keen on extending credit facilities to housing co-operatives and, as such, some people's dreams of owning a house are failing to turn into reality.
"Empowerment is not only about owning shares.
"What benefit is it for one to own a stake in a company when he doesn't have a decent house of his own?
"There is need for greater co-operation between Government, housing co-operatives and low-cost housing companies so that the ordinary man really feels empowered through the ownership of a house," he said.
Source - SM
