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Minister Patrick Chinamasa

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
FINANCE and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa has warned land barons and unscrupulous housing co-operatives against capitalising on home seekers for their own benefit.

Presenting the 2018 National Budget last Thursday, Minister Chinamasa said it was unfortunate that land barons were continuing to work against initiatives employed by Government to reduce the country’s housing backlog, which stands at over 1,3 million.

He said given the potential of privately funded schemes in addressing the housing backlog, Government will, during 2018, create the necessary synergies with banks, genuine housing co-operatives, councils and other stakeholders, with a view to ensuring the housing backlog in the country’s cities is reduced.

“The current housing backlog stands at over 1,3 million countrywide, with Harare City Council’s housing shortfall alone accounting for 500 000. Many of those in need of housing have spent years waiting for affordable accomodation.

“Government notes with concern that land barons and some unscrupulous housing co-operatives continue to take advantage of this desire and abuse home seekers,” said Minister Chinamasa.

He said Government has come up with various financing strategies aimed at providing low cost serviced land for housing development, in partnership with the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe and the Urban Development Corporation (UDCOP).

“In addressing the housing backlog, Government has collaborated with various stakeholders, including public sector entities, the financial sector, and private individuals, through self-financing schemes as well as housing co-operatives.

“To protect genuine private investors, particularly within some co-operatives, Government has since mandated the Urban Development Corporation to take over the administration of housing schemes, where members are demonstrating lack of capacity to develop and service land availed by the state for housing development,” said Minister Chinamasa.

He assured the nation that Government would continue to prioritise investments towards affordable housing across the country, adding that housing was a basic human right.

“Loan funded schemes involve local authorities, IDBZ and UDCORP. The three parties identify suitable land and mobilise funding for servicing before selling the stands to beneficiaries.

“We’re also looking at formalisation of informal settlements where Government and the beneficiaries meet the cost of the required off-site and on-site infrastructure,” said Minister Chinamasa.

He said these initiatives will be buttressed by the desire of many Zimbabweans to sacrifice their hard earned income towards decent homes for their families. The finance minister said the 2018 Budget would invest a total $102 million for the construction and rehabilitation of institutional buildings.

“These include Lupane Composite Building, which we have allocated $5.1 million, $2.8 million for two blocks of flats at Tomlinson Flats and $3 million for six District Registries.

“We have also allocated $9.4 million for court facilities, another $9.4 million for chanceries and embassies and a total of $4.7 million for state residencies,” said Minister Chinamasa.

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