The majority of Namibia’s urban population, and nearly half of the country’s population, lives in informal settlements lacking necessary infrastructure and sanitation, as well as land rights. To meet these needs, the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia and the Namibia Housing Action Group have partnered with local governments to help communities formalize their land ownership and upgrade their homes through a initiative called The Community-Driven Housing and Informal Settlement Upgrading Project.
The project establishes sections of lands for which specially designed land titles can be acquired, and members of the community savings group apply for construction loans through a fund set up by the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia. It is operating in ten regions across Namibia, and has already benefitted 25,000 people, with the goal of reaching 34,000 families in the next three years.
Source:
World Habitat Awards. (2023) Community-Driven Housing and Informal Settlement Upgrading. World Habitat Awards Winners: Bronze 2023.
Link: https://world-habitat.org/world-habitat-awards/winners-and-finalists/settlement-upgrading-namibia/