Developers reduce housing backlog by 50%

Published: 18 April 2018

PROPERTY developers in Masvingo have reduced the housing backlog in the city by more than 50 percent following the unveiling of land for development. Property developers who spoke to The Herald yesterday said enough ground had been covered in Masvingo on infrastructural development.

They said housing was going to be affordable because of the increase in units.

December 12 Housing Scheme director Mr Wellington Mahwende said property developers were playing a pivotal role in addressing "homelessness" in the province and hailed the new dispensation for ushering in a new development trajectory.

"As infrastructure developers, we have immensely contributed to Masvingo City through addressing housing needs," he said.

"We have reduced the city's housing backlog by at least 50 percent, after we developed 5 000 housing units."

As of the end of 2017, Masvingo City's housing backlog stood at 10 000 houses.

Mr Mahwende said his organisation, which is also part of Remainder of Victoria Range Housing Consortium, where he is the chairman, had constructed more than 5 000 housing units in Masvingo.

"I want to thank the Government for giving us land to develop housing at affordable rates," he said.
"Almost everyone who earns an income has an opportunity to be a landlord in Masvingo, courtesy of December 12 Housing scheme.

"We have constructed 250 low cost houses for members of the Zimbabwe National Army under their Zimbabwe Defence Forces Benefit Fund at Victoria Range suburb.

"Our deposit is affordable, actual construction work can start as soon as the owner pays at least $1 000."
Mr Mahwende said the scheme was partnering with other players in the industry and had benefited from Government's land reform programme through acquisition of land on which the houses were being built.

He said most houses had been connected to piped water and electricity while work on the sewer system was underway.

Masvingo mayor councillor Hubert Fidze hailed private developers for assisting the local authority in addressing housing challenges.

"We needed partners in addressing our housing backlog, which stood at 10 000," he said.

"It has since been reduced significantly given these efforts by housing schemes. Housing schemes are our strategic partners and they operate within our by-laws."
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Tags: Housing,