As the continent continues to urbanize, there is an increasing need for affordable housing. Kenya alone, which is East Africa’s biggest economy, has a housing shortfall of approximately 2 million units. The shortfall in the continent is at 51 million units. While the government is doing a lot to change this, there are several obstacles which hinder progress. These include inadequate financing, regulation, and developers who support high-end markets. Africa therefore needs ideas for cheap housing fast. Read more at How We Made it in Africa.
Dear D –
Did you know that every fast-growing city in the world has a slum? What will it take to achieve affordable housing for the urban population? There are so many options that governments are yet to explore. Some of these include the setting aside areas that will only be used to put up affordable housing, improving infrastructure which makes up 60% of construction costs, and encouraging innovative ideas that use cheap-cost materials for house construction. Robust ‘plastic and glass houses’ have especially become popular among innovators. Using waste to build houses has been documented in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, and other countries in Africa. Additionally, remittances from Africans in the diaspora can help to fund the continent’s affordable housing plans if well structured. Read more on how the diaspora can contribute to affordable housing in Africa.