In an ambitious move to address housing shortages, the Walvis Bay Backyard Tenants Group is set to submit a large-scale land application for Portion 23 of Farm 37, situated near Dune 7. This initiative reflects the group’s commitment to improving living conditions for its members, many of whom currently reside in backyard shacks.
The group’s leader, Festus Immanuel, announced that over 2,000 members will apply for this land, following their recent allocation of Portion 19, also known as Extension 6 of Green Valley. Despite this allocation, Immanuel pointed out that Portion 19 can only accommodate 686 members, leaving many without adequate housing.
Portion 23, located adjacent to Portion 19, is intended to be developed alongside it. Immanuel believes that simultaneous development of both areas will not only provide additional housing but also enable cost savings on infrastructure design. This strategic approach aims to maximize efficiency and leverage the newly introduced National Housing Policy, which is set to guide land and housing development from 2024 to 2028.
The National Housing Policy outlines various strategies and frameworks to enhance housing conditions, and the group plans to utilize these provisions to support their development efforts. The last significant land registration in Namibia occurred in 2015, with high demand in locations like Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, which saw over 10,000 applications.
For more detailed insights into the Walvis Bay Backyard Tenants Group’s plans and the broader context of land allocation in Namibia, read the full article here.