Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, has reiterated the government’s dedication to addressing the housing needs of lower-income citizens.
Croal disclosed that an impressive 45% of the house lots issued by the Ministry were allocated to individuals falling within the moderate to low-income bracket.
Discussing the allocation process, Minister Croal explained that the ministry categorizes applicants into various income brackets, including moderate, middle-high, and low-income.
Out of the 30,000 allocated locations, almost half, or 45%, fall into the low-income bracket.
Croal emphasized the significance of the low-income housing projects as part of a broader initiative to combat poverty.
He stated that this reflects a deliberate effort to prioritize those with limited financial resources.
The Minister highlighted that the majority of applicants are within the low or moderate income categories, and the government has been responding to their needs by constructing affordable houses.
In terms of completed houses, Minister Croal mentioned that over 1,088 houses have been completed, with around 43 to 45% designated as low-income houses.
He noted that even when adding the moderate-income category, which includes houses below the high-income threshold, only about 10–15% of the houses built are for young professionals.
These efforts come amidst opposition claims that budget 2024 does not adequately cater to the lower class of society.
However, a substantial amount totaling 78 billion has been allocated in this year’s budget for infrastructural development under the Ministry of Housing and Water.
The government’s commitment to providing affordable housing options underscores its focus on social development and improving the living conditions of citizens, especially those with limited financial means.