The Federal Government is set to implement a social housing scheme aimed at providing affordable housing for vulnerable populations in the country, according to Mahmuda Mamman, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
The announcement was made during the 12th meeting of the National Council on Housing and Urban Development held in Kaduna on Monday.
Mamman stated, “The National Housing Scheme Programme by the ministry would assist the vulnerable population of the country to afford a roof over their heads and this would in turn bridge the gaps in the housing sector.”
He further explained that the housing ministry intends to establish social housing schemes to offer decent and affordable houses, addressing the diverse housing needs of Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable.
The Permanent Secretary revealed that ongoing discussions at the housing council meeting would lay the groundwork for state governments to participate in the scheme.
He emphasized the ministry’s effort to secure unencumbered lands from state governments for the construction of affordable houses.
“We have written letters to the various state governments asking them to give us unencumbered lands so that we can be able to build these affordable houses for all Nigerians because it is a matter of right and not a privilege, that is why this administration is doing things differently,” Mamman added.
He also mentioned an ongoing survey by the National Population Commission to determine the accurate housing deficit figures in Nigeria. The results of the survey will be disclosed upon completion.
Rabi’u Yunusa, the Permanent Secretary of the Kaduna State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, shared plans for a social housing scheme in Kaduna.
The state government aims to provide 1000 houses in rural areas and 300 houses in urban areas across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Additionally, a Qatari charity organization is set to provide 500 housing units for the most vulnerable residents in Kaduna.
The state government also has plans to construct 10,000 housing units over the next four years.
