By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
THE Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has called for serious policy intervention to solve the challenge of housing deficits in Solwezi District of North-Western Province.
The increase in mining activities in the area has pushed up the demand on housing and accommodation, hence the need for more interventions.
Centre programme manager-social and economic development Andrew Simpasa said interventions should include giving incentives to
investors wishing to build low cost housing units in the mining town.
Another measure could be partnering with the private sector on a Public Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangements to reduce housing deficits.
“Government should come up with incentives for investors and PPPs and construct medium and low cost housing units to reduce
housing and accommodation deficit caused by high demand in the area,” Mr Simpasa said in Lusaka yesterday.
According to the recent JCTR Basic Needs Basket (BNB), Solwezi recorded a K3,714 for a household of five with housing costing K1,300 on average, representing 47 per cent.
He said accommodation had remained the single most expensive item hence the need for Government partner with private investors to build more housing units and reduce the economic impact.
Mr Simpasa said the impact was mostly felt by low income earners in the district and the province as whole.
