This archive report was first published on 2 October 2019.
On October 2, 2019, Principal Secretary in the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, Charles Hinga, announced the government's efforts to encourage Kenyans to own homes through attractive incentives.
Speaking at Nyeri Main Prison during the commissioning of 60 modern housing units for officers, Hinga highlighted the high cost of building as a major challenge in housing, driven by exorbitant land costs, high construction costs, unnecessary processes, and financing.
According to Hinga, a housing survey commissioned by the Department through KPMG in every county revealed a serious shortage of housing in the country, with a draft report showing a housing deficit of 4.5 million units.
The PS noted that the 2010 Constitution granted Kenyans a fundamental right to adequate housing, including clean water and sanitation, and that Vision 2030 envisioned a high-quality life, but the government had not addressed how to fund it.
He regretted that the Housing Act of 1969, which established a housing fund, had not been implemented and was gathering dust.
However, Hinga announced that the State Department of Housing and Urban Development had put in place a comprehensive plan to help employees with pay slips own their homes through a partnership between the government and the private sector.
He added that the government had introduced comprehensive incentives for the private sector to build homes for employees, including a home ownership savings plan that gives a tax break if one saves for a home, and an affordable Housing scheme where each employee would receive Sh 9,000 cash towards building their homes.
Additionally, Hinga said that some counties had removed development fees to ensure costs of construction were affordable, and that the government had removed VAT on construction through the Finance Bill.
He urged Kenyans to take advantage of these dispensations and become home owners, and to frequent county directors of Housing or visit www.bomayangu.go.ke for more information.
Speaking during the same occasion, PS's for Correctional Services and Public Works, Mrs Zainab Hussein and Major General (Rtd) Gordon Kihalangwa, warned contractors and staff against variation of contracts and unnecessary delays.
