Government, through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has handed over fifty (50) housing units to the poor and vulnerable households in Namwala, Sinazongwe, Pemba and Gwembe Districts in Southern Province, under the Social Housing Project.
The Social Housing Project Phase One targets to provide 50 decent and affordable housing to Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries in each province across the nation.
The construction project commenced on 14th November, 2022 and was completed on 30th September, 2024 at a total contract sum of K19, 562,640.78.
Speaking during the handover of the 50housing units to beneficiaries in Namwala, Southern Province, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Ms. Angela Kawandami in a speech read on her behalf by Director Social Welfare, Mr. Morris Moono, reiterated government’s commitment to reducing poverty and improving the welfare of its citizens.
Ms. Kawandami emphasized that the handover of the 50 houses is a testament of the government’s life-cycle approach to social protection aimed at providing comprehensive support for citizens from birth to old age and ensuring that every citizen has access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.1.
“We remain committed to ensuring that this life-cycle approach is fully actualized in every aspect of our work, which calls for ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services for all by 2030,” She said.
She explained that the Phase One of the construction of housing units for the vulnerable which began in the Southern and Eastern Provinces is now expanding into the North-Western, Central, and Western Provinces.
The Permanent Secretary further commended the power of collaboration between Ministries and echoed that the Ministry will continue to work with other stakeholders in enhancing the implementation of social protection programmes.
“The Ministry will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance the synergies and linkages in the implementation of social protection programmes beyond the social cash transfer to ensure that people live dignified and empower,” She said.
And Ministry of Infrastructure and Urban Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Albert Malama echoed that the handover of the housing units is a demonstration of government’s commitment to implement inclusive and people centered infrastructure programmes that uplift living standards and promote social stability.
He added that the housing units is Southern Province is part of the national programme being implemented in several provinces across the nationg in a bid to ensure that no community is left behind in accessing decent shelter and improved living conditions.
“Just last week, we were in Eastern Province where 50 housing units were handed over to families in Vubwi, Sinda,Chadiza and Mambwe Districts,” He added.
He indicated that government has prioritized housing development under the Eigth National Development Plan, within the strategic development area on Human and Social Development, to cushion the housing deficit estimated at 1.5million units affecting both rural and urban areas.
One of the beneficiaries of the newly constructed houses, 82-year-old Ms. Mary Chirwa, a Social Cash Transfer recipient from Namwala ,has expressed gratitude to the Government for the initiative, saying the houses will help restore dignity and improve the living conditions of vulnerable citizens.
Issued by:
Glenda Nachinga
Principal Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Community Development and Social Services
