Although housing provision in Outjo has been ongoing efficiently, Acting Chief Executive Officer Jaco Labuschagne says the provision of services has been a challenge.

Labuschagne says the Namibia Housing Action Group (NHAG) and the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) are by far the most effective entities to provide proper, affordable housing.

Outjo has about 20,000 inhabitants, with about three-quarters of that number living in the more than 3,000 erven in the informal settlement.

Standard Bank Namibia, through its corporate social responsibility programme, has reaffirmed its commitment to gradually move low-income earners from shacks to modern houses.

The bank pledged N$2,6 million towards the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia project for this year.

Standard Bank Namibia Senior Copywriter Khadijah Mouton says the bank has a significant role to play in ensuring the phasing out of shacks in the informal settlements.