Bulawayo housing waiting list surpasses 162 000 applicants

Bulawayo's housing crisis continues to worsen, with more than 162 000 people now registered on the city's housing waiting list, highlighting the widening gap between demand for residential stands and the local authority's ability to deliver new housing.

The growing waiting list reflects years of limited land servicing, ageing infrastructure and delays in housing development projects, leaving thousands of residents waiting for years to secure homes.

According to a report presented by Bulawayo City Council (BCC) Director of Housing and Community Services Dictor Khumalo, the local authority has continued updating and digitising its housing register, with 162 836 housing applications captured on the AS400 computer system as of May 2026.

"A cumulative total of 162 836 housing application forms have now been captured into the system, reflecting continued updates from the waiting list database," Khumalo said.

The report indicated that the number of applicants on the waiting list increased during the reporting period, rising from 145 936 in April to 146 526 in May, despite continued efforts to digitise historical records.

Bulawayo's housing demand has remained persistently high, with the city's housing backlog estimated at about 125 000 units. Council's annual target of delivering approximately 3 000 housing units has been criticised as inadequate to significantly reduce the deficit.

During May, council allocated 28 residential stands in Mahatshula East, with five stands allocated to young applicants between the ages of 15 and 35, while the remaining 23 were allocated to older applicants.

The council also processed 14 housing waiver applications, including three requests involving the sale of property improvements and 11 applications from residents in Mpopoma, Mzilikazi, Magwegwe, Cowdray Park and Nkulumane.

Challenges remain unresolved under the Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle Housing Programme, where 24 cases involving double allocations are still outstanding. No cases were finalised during the reporting period.

The programme, launched in 2005 to provide emergency housing and address illegal settlements, has faced years of delays. In Cowdray Park, one of the major projects under the scheme, many residents continue to experience challenges linked to incomplete infrastructure, including roads, sewer systems and water supplies.

Meanwhile, council reported progress in converting rental properties into home ownership, with 436 housing units converted across several suburbs.

In Iminyela, 185 out of 1 232 units have been converted, while Mabutweni recorded 211 conversions from a total of 1 815 units. Emganwini has recorded 41 conversions from 167 eligible units, while Makokoba and Mzilikazi have converted 1 567 out of 2 283 units. Pumula has recorded four conversions from five eligible units.

BCC said the regularisation of ownership was encouraging residents to complete payments and formalise property ownership, which would also improve revenue collection.

However, overcrowding remains a major challenge in some of the city's ageing housing complexes.

At Burombo Flats, a facility originally designed to accommodate 159 people, the number of occupants has reportedly grown to nearly 1 000, placing significant pressure on ageing infrastructure and basic services.

The council received and noted the report, as pressure mounts for accelerated housing delivery solutions to address Bulawayo's growing residential demand.