Sessional Paper No. 03 of 2016 on National Housing Policy

Abstract

The Sessional Paper No. 3 of 2016 on National Housing Policy is expected to ensure progressive realization of the right to accessible and adequate housing and reasonable standards of sanitation for every person as per Article 43 of the Constitution. It also intends to arrest the deteriorating housing conditions countrywide and bridge the shortfall in housing stock arising from demand that far surpasses supply particularly for low-income housing in urban areas. This scenario is as a result of high population growth rate, rapid urbanization, widespread poverty, escalating costs of providing housing and cumbersome approval processes. The shortage in affordable housing is manifested through overcrowding and proliferation of slums and informal settlements. In the rural areas, the problem manifests itself in poor quality of the housing fabric and lack of basic services such as clean drinking water. The Policy therefore aims at:- • Enabling the low-income households to access housing, basic services and infrastructure necessary for a healthy living environment especially in urban and peri-urban areas; • Encouraging integrated, participatory approaches to slum upgrading and improvement, including income generating activities that effectively combat poverty; • Creating a National Social Housing Development Fund to be financed through budgetary allocations and financial support from development partners and other sources for rental social housing and related infrastructure, and other low-cost housing programmes.....