Owners of affordable houses to receive units by March, says CS

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome at Ardhi House in Nairobi, during the update on allocations of affordable houses by the government. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] The government will release 4,800 housing units constructed under the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) to the owners within the next two months. This is according to Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome. Addressing the press Wednesday morning at Ardhi House, Nairobi, the CS said there are five blocks at Mukuru slums in Nairobi, noting that the government will be constructing about 13,200 units in the informal settlement. "So Kenyans who have listened to the negative things by people who are fighting this programme, just know that between now and March we will be releasing 4,800 units fully completed, owned by Kenyans, selected by Kenyans and in about 19 different projects that will be ready," said CS Wahome. "Within the next 60 days, we shall be giving out 1,080 units to the owners in Mukuru." She pointed out the three categories of houses - affordable housing units, social and market or affordable middle-class units, with differences being in sizes and space with the studio (bedsitter) being the smallest at 20 square meters. The studio is the smallest and will cost Sh640,000 with a 10 per cent deposit of Sh64,000. According to the State, the social housing units will range from Sh640,000 for a studio measuring 20 square metres, with Sh3,900 monthly rent, one bedroom (30 square metres) costing Sh960,000 at Sh5,350 rent per month and two-bedroom (40 square metres) at Sh1.28 million at Sh6,800 rent. Under affordable units, they will range from a studio of the same size valued at Sh1 million with Sh7,250 as monthly rent to three-bedroom of 60 square metres at Sh3 million with Sh21,680 as rent. Also under the same category is a studio cum shop unit that is 64 square meters costing Sh3.2 million and Sh23,128 in rent. Under affordable middle-class housing units (market), the units start from two types of two bedrooms measuring 40 and 70 square metres costing Sh2.4 million and Sh4.2 million with Sh21,160 and Sh37,030 as monthly rent. Three bedrooms come in various sizes from 64 square metres costing from Sh3.84million to Sh5.16 million with monthly rents ranging from Sh33,856 to Sh45,500. The CS said failure to complete a deposit will not deny one chance to own a house and the repayment period will be 20 to 30 months and one can pay in cash or slowly through the tenant purchase scheme. "Please note that the deposit does not stop you from owning the house because you can pay the deposit as we go along before you enter the house. As long as you have been assessed, you will not miss the house because the deposit is insufficient," said Wahome. The CS was flanked by Milkah Mora, who was recently humiliated by her landlord for failing to pay rent. Nakuru-based corporal Sammy Ondimu Ngare started an online fundraiser, which helped her raise over Sh400,000. Moraa has paid a Sh64,000 deposit for a studio and will be among those who will receive the 1,080 units soon. The monthly payment, Wahome said, would be Sh3,900 and Moraa was paying Sh4,000 shillings per month. She revealed that in June this year, more units will be ready in Homa Bay, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga and Embu. "All these projects will form part of the units that will be released within the next 60 days," said CS Wahome. Wahome urged Kenyans to log into the Boma Yangu portal to apply for the various houses, assuring Kenyans that all those who apply and are assessed and qualify will get houses. "I think the fear is that those who are moneyed, the big pockets people with big pay strips or businesses are the ones going to get these houses and they are meant to be social and when we speak social, it means we are addressing a social need as per the Constitution Article 43," said Wahome. She stated that the government plans to expand the school facilities around Mukuru, including three kindergartens, dispensary because the number of people who will be living in the over 13,000 units is very huge. The CS said the government is collecting Sh65 billion per year through Housing Levy and defended it saying it's just like another tax to develop the country. The cabinet secretary said they would stop speculators. "So I just want to guarantee Kenyans that we are not going to allow abuse of the process and the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) Board has a final say," she noted. The CS observed that even if they do not meet the 200,000 to 250,000 per year and one million house target within five years, they will at least be able to do 700,000 to 800,000 units by 2027. AHP Board acting chief executive Sheila Wachira said they have partnered with financial institutions to offer funding at subsidised rates at three per cent with fixed interest rates for 30 years period social category, six per cent and nine per cent for affordable and middle class respectively.

Owners of affordable houses to receive units by March, says CS

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