Swakopmund Mayor Dina Namubes says the town faces a major housing crisis due to rapid urbanisation and a growing slum population.

Namubes says new and targeted approaches to affordable housing are needed for the town to make cities inclusive, spur economic growth, and expand job opportunities.

The DRC informal settlement is one such settlement that sprang up in 2001, where shacks built with corrugated iron sheets and carton matchbox shelters house more than 20,000 people without basic sanitation or property rights.

The DRC continues to grow as Namibians from other parts of the country migrate to Swakopmund in search of work and a better life, though employment is difficult to find.

It is against this backdrop that the municipality and the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) have entered into a partnership to come up with plans to cater to low-income earners. 

The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness and provide information on the upcoming informal settlement upgrading programme planned for DRC residents. 

Also speaking at the event was the NHE Erongo Regional Manager, Donald Tjikune, who said the housing enterprise is committed to bringing affordable housing solutions to all Namibians.