Amoomo pushes for affordable housing policy reforms nationwide

Allexer Namundjembo

Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo has called on the Namibian government to expand affordable housing, regulate the rental market, and review laws that he says continue to drive up the cost of home ownership, particularly for young people and low-income earners.

On his social media, Amoomo said the government should make vacant state-owned houses available for affordable rental, arguing that the country has failed to provide an adequate housing safety net for vulnerable citizens.

He said low-income earners, social grant beneficiaries, and persons living with disabilities are among those most affected by the shortage of public housing.

He added that the lack of public housing leaves people who cannot afford private rentals at the mercy of the private market, and argued that housing should be treated as a fundamental human right rather than a political issue.

He also cited the case of retired former National Assembly Speaker Professor Peter Katjavivi, saying he was denied the opportunity to purchase a government house in Swakopmund after his application was reportedly rejected by the Minister of Works and Transport.