Many residents have appreciated the City of Windhoek for building and delivering on its low-cost housing initiative.

However, while they are finally living in decent houses, some, such as Amalia Hoxobes, refuse to pay the monthly instalment, arguing that the amount is not commensurate with the services provided by the municipality.

Amalia Hoxobes, a resident of Freedom Land, has been living on this plot for more than three decades. 

Following the introduction of the City of Windhoek's low-cost housing initiative, she finally has a proper two-bedroom house, for which she pays a monthly instalment of N$1000, payable over 25 years.

Hoxobes, who moved into the house four months ago, expressed dissatisfaction, as she claims the house is already falling apart.

Walking us through her home, cracked floors and leaking water sources could be observed, as well as non-functioning lights. 
The 57-year-old adds that she is unable to make any extensions to the house, as she was informed, in retrospect, that the plan does not provide for a yard.

She says that was not according to the initial vision.

"The City of Windhoek has to make a plan for my yard so that I'm able to build my extra room like the others. I can't be paying for something that I'm unhappy about, and it's a lot of money. I have to pay for twenty-five years, over a thousand dollars. That's a lot of money. My children are grown, so where do they expect me to build my extra room?"

Hoxobes says the lack of a backyard has resulted in much inconvenience to residents and has contributed to people stealing her property.

She says the Windhoek mayor paid her a visit and promised to look into the matter when she first complained to the City of Windhoek, but to date, she has seen no progress.

"The mayor was here and we spoke. She also spoke with the people who initially built the houses and asked them what went wrong and how they divided the place. Because the plan was not like that at first, it was when they changed that everything became complicated. The mayor promised that she would have a meeting with them and hear both sides to understand, as she had just become mayor."

The frustrated Hoxobes wants answers as she has not been allowed to speak to those responsible for her home's construction. 

Contacted for comment, the City of Windhoek says it is investigating the complaints as a matter of urgency.