By KASONDE KASONDE  –
THE NHA/MKP Development Estates Limited, a joint venture between the National Housing Authority (NHA) and MKP Group of Malaysia, has reduced the price of its housing units at the Heroes estate in Lusaka by 30 percent.
NHA/MKP board chairperson SaviourKonie said the prices had been reduced to allow people have access to good homes.
The offer means that a three-bed roomed house was pegged at K950,000 while a two bedroomed unit was now costing K430,000.
Mr Konie said the price of houses was reduced in line with President Edgar Lungu’sfor more affordable decent housing and expanding investments in housing and other infrastructural projects to speed up development.
He said there was a deficit of housing in Zambia of about 1.5 million houses and it was the responsibility of institutions such as pension funds to help close the gap.
Mr Konie said that pension funds could invest about four per cent of their money which was almost K1 billion and this would amount to a significant step towards resolving the deficit.
Mr Konie also suggested that consideration should also be given to removal of property transfer tax on first purchase of a house.
Mr Konie said NHA had risen to the challenge and was doing its part to help reduce housing shortage in Zambia, saying NHA/MKP Development Estates had been in business for 10 years and was aware of the needs of Zambians.
The partnership has built 400 houses in PHI, Ibex Gardens and Northgate.
NHA director of Real Estate Management and Sales Bwalya Makasa said NHA, in partnership with MKP, was offering homes which were both modern and affordable.