An announcement has been made by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development regarding a partnership with the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria. This partnership aims to enhance the provision of affordable housing as part of the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.
During a courtesy visit to the ministry, the collaboration was formalized by the AHCN President and Chairman of Council, Eno Obongha, along with his delegation, as disclosed by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Salisu Haiba, in a statement released on Saturday.
The main focus of this partnership is to eradicate homelessness and ensure that all Nigerians have access to decent and affordable housing in a secure environment.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, explained that the Renewed Hope Housing Programme was established to increase the supply of affordable housing in Nigeria.
Dangiwa reassured the guests of the ministry’s commitment to completing all housing projects under the program, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards abandoning any houses.
Emphasizing on the importance of utilizing high-quality, locally sourced building materials in the construction process, the minister stated, “We are dedicated to ensuring that despite our aspiration of providing affordable and accessible housing for all Nigerians, we will uphold quality standards by utilizing high-quality building materials, supporting the local economy, and meeting Nigerians’ housing preferences.”
Expressing his satisfaction with the Agric-Villages Scheme, an AHCN initiative aimed at acquiring farmland in rural areas nationwide, Dangiwa explained how the scheme seeks to leverage agriculture to facilitate housing provision and create employment for unemployed youths.
“The Agric-Villages Scheme will be integrated into the National Social Housing Fund initiative, in progress at the Ministry, with the potential to offer affordable housing solutions to low- and no-income Nigerians,” the minister stated.
Prior to this, President and Chairman of AHCN, Obongha, conveyed the association’s eagerness to actively engage in the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda.
“Our commitment involves facilitating this initiative by allocating approximately 15 hectares of land per senatorial district for housing development, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Obongha affirmed.
Additionally, the association appealed to the minister for support in enabling State Housing Corporations to access Housing Development Funds through mortgages, and requested participation in the implementation of housing projects under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.
Moreover, Obongha recommended that at least 20% of the building materials used in the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda projects be sourced locally, promoting economic growth and sustainability.