Promotion of decent housing by the government is becoming music to Rwandans especially low-income earners because decent residences are posh houses only affordable to the wealthy.
However, the government has taken note of the matter.
According to the Director of National Housing Corporation (NHC) Esther Mutamba, plans to improve affordable decent houses are underway: “It’s true we want all citizens to live in well-constructed houses that’s why we’re finding ways to ease building costs to our investors in order to have affordable houses to all”.
However, people should not be excited since currently the government doesn’t have enough money to start constructing descent houses all over the country.
“It’s still a challenge since we don’t have enough finances now that’s why we’re encouraging financial institutions to prolong the repayment period to those who have acquired mortgages,” Mutamba said.
Meanwhile only 12% percent of Rwandans live in decent houses while the rest stay in either shanty or sub-standard houses poorly constructed that risk collapsing in case of a calamity like tremor, mudslide or earthquakes.
Speaking at the launch of Green-park villa estate located in the city’s Mulindi area, Mutamba insisted that citizens should not lose hope since several banks in the country offer mortgage loans.
“I don’t see the need to panic because those who are employed on long-term contracts and are renting for instance can acquire house loans and build mortgageable houses that later become theirs forever,” she stressed.
Green-park villa estates for example have 50 houses which range from Frw 75 to 90 million repayable within twenty years.
According to an investor Nathane Loyd who’s also the CEO of a construction company- DN International, people have to change the negative mindset of associating such houses to the rich and should rather accept that it’s an opportunity to all classes in the society.
“I’m glad that we’re contributing to the growth of this country which is commendable and better living standards is key to the welfare of our society,” he pointed out.
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