Renowned economist Martin Mwinga has urged Namibians to take advantage of incentives offered by the government and the private sector to resolve the housing crisis.

Speaking at the launch of the national housing study by First Capital Group in Windhoek recently, Dr Mwinga, the organisation's Executive Chairman, said the country is on the verge of resolving this particular challenge.
 
The study focuses on challenges, opportunities and policy options available for every citizen.

The study also seeks to develop evidence-based policy recommendations to formulate practical policy recommendations that improve housing affordability, strengthen institutional capacity, modernize housing finance, mobilize investment, enhance housing delivery, and support the long-term transformation of Namibia's housing sector.
 
It further identifies the rate of urbanisation as a major contributor to the current situation in the housing sector.
 
“In 1991, about 70% of the Namibian population lived in rural areas, and only 30% lived in towns. But by 2023, about 50% had moved to urban areas to look for opportunities, and that is the first problem to be resolved."

Its scope of research is wide and includes solutions that have worked in other countries.
 
"South Korea experienced a similar problem; they had a huge migration of people coming from the rural areas, and they came up with the policy where they told the people that if you work or set up factories in rural areas, then you just pay 50% of your taxes."