Across Sub-Saharan Africa, most housing is produced and consumed informally – and despite having a GNI per capita that is higher than or on par with the least expensive formal dwellings, most of the housing stock in Namibia is self-built. This makes land ownership and titling a major obstacle to increasing the security of tenure for residents living in informal settlements, and therefore overall housing stability.
In order to increase land titling in informal settlements, Namibia passed the innovative Flexible Land Tenure Act in 2012, which is aimed at the 30% of the population living in informal settlements. This act permits communities to attain multiple plots of land and a starter title, which grants perpetual occupancy and transfer rights, thought residents can also apply for full, mortgageable land titles. Once they obtain the title, communities are responsible for upgrading their infrastructure.
Source:
World Bank Group. (2015) Stocktaking of the Housing Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa : Challenges and Opportunities. World Bank, Washington, DC.
Link: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/23358