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Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association director Dr Killer Zivhu commissions a $25 000 model house at the launch of a cluster housing scheme in Chivhu at the weekend, a project that is set to benefit low-income earners. – (Picture by Memory Mangombe)

Samantha Chigogo recently in Chivhu—
Stakeholders in the housing sector have launched a model house project that is set to deliver affordable housing quarters for low-income earners and single parents. The project was initiated as part of achieving Zim-Asset provisions across the country. This comes as a complementary effort towards Government’s determination on housing projects set to address the country’s housing backlog.

Addressing delegates and residents in Chivhu at the weekend, Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association (ZAHA) director-general Dr Killer Zivhu said the scheme was a step towards meeting Zim-Asset targets in the provision of housing units and residential stands.

“The project is mainly aimed at low-income earners with tight land and limited budgets,” he said.

“Widows and single parents struggling to earn a decent living will also be beneficiaries of this scheme because a decent house should not be a luxury but rather a common need for each and every one of us as we are all entitled to good housing facilities.”

ZAHA is partnering with Moonlight Life Insurers and CBZ Bank, which will provide the fixed bank accounts, while land is being identified and developed.

Dr Zivhu said cluster houses were a new dawn for the country’s struggling housing sector.

“Cluster houses or complexes are affordable and can save the nation. Under Zim-Asset as enunciated by His Excellency President Mugabe, we will ensure that by June this year, over 1 000 cluster homes will have been built,” he said.

“This is a new dawn for the country as we move to maximise the land we have as well as the building material at our disposal. We will be heading to Chiredzi where we will build hundreds of the model houses we have just launched today within a short space or time, two or so months to be precise.”

Dr Zivhu encouraged young people to come up with ideas that would economically move the country forward. “It is high time that people learn to work hard for their own survival. Gone are the days we used to mourn over sanctions,” he said.

“We need ideas that help the country move forward and working solutions to bring sanity to the country’s economic status. So stop complaining that Government is not doing this and that for you.”

Dr Zivhu said owning land and houses was a necessity to every one regardless of their economic status. Chiredzi Rural District Council chief executive Mr Isaac Matsilele said more land should be availed for housing projects.

“Through the social services cluster of our economic blueprint, we aim at complementing Government’s efforts in reducing the housing backlog on city councils as well as ensuring that our goal to achieve over 125 000 housing units is realised.”