The Rundu Town Council (RTC) is advocating for increased funding for local authorities to improve land servicing and bulk infrastructure to address the housing backlog.
This was shared during a consultation meeting with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban and Rural Development and Land Reform.
For the past 10 years, the council has not produced service plots.
Rundu was surveyed in 1991 and officially proclaimed as a town on 15 September 1992.
The town has more than 15,517. Hectares, with a total of 28,308 surveyed Ervin in 85 extensions or townships, of which 25,069 are residential properties
The town has eight unplanned settlements, namely Ngwangwa, Satotwa, Sikanduko, Ndama South, Tumweneni, Tuhingireni, Kehesosi, and Kaisosi South.
The council is developing land with the assistance of private developers.
Acting CEO Fransiska Thikerete explained, "For example, we have Rundu extension 31 and Rundu extension 32, Hilka Park. You see, two extensions were allocated to one developer or the same developer. This same developer then services."
Once the council allocated land to the developers, it became their responsibility to source a database of clients from the RTC or to advertise their business.
The houses constructed by the private developers, however, do not speak to the low-income earners.
The council has a plan to service residential plots, but financial constraints have halted the project.
The council is collaborating on joint venture projects to assist in developing and servicing land with the Namibia Housing Action Group, GIZ, and Development Workshop Namibia.
Budget constraints, such as the high cost of bulk services like water, sewer, electricity, and roads, are some of the challenges faced.
The council sources funding from its own revenues, central government transfers, the Build Together revolving fund, as well as donor and partner contributions.
Despite the challenges faced, for 2025/2026 council plans to formalise about 1500 ervens at Satotwa and 1500 ervens at Tuhingireni locations.