The Municipality of Swakopmund has taken another step toward addressing the housing backlog by donating 165 erven to residents living on the outskirts of the DRC informal settlement.

The donation is part of an initiative that began in 2023, when the municipal council allocated 805 erven to residents of DRC to provide secure land tenure and improve living conditions. 

The government allocated funds to fully service the land, according to Municipal Public Relations Officer Linda Mupupa.

She explained that the initiative specifically targets first-time homeowners to lessen the burden on the housing system, which is now under pressure due to the rapid population growth.

Mupupa added that while the council's long-term vision is to provide affordable and dignified housing for all residents, the process is lengthened by cumbersome administrative procedures.

"We have a housing backlog because there are many people on our list who have registered for low-cost and ultra-low-cost housing; currently, that list stands at 20,000 people, but we cannot assist all of them in a single year. It is a process that will take many, many years and a lot of money. We also need the central government to help us with land servicing. This crisis is causing overcrowding in Swakopmund, especially in the DRC informal settlement, where five or six households share one erven."

The housing process is being undertaken in collaboration with the National Housing Enterprise (NHE), while Erongo Red has been tasked with electrifying homes for approximately 650 residents in the affected areas.

"Initially, a residence was required to pay N$2,000 and an additional N$500 towards the electrification process. However, the government has once again come to the party. They are assisting with N$10 million to electrify residents' homes in Swakopmund. This is an action that we are currently appreciating, that as a municipality we do account for or have quite a large number of shack fires or home fires happening in DRC throughout the year."