The government has revised its official stance regarding the resale of affordable housing units, affirming that Kenyan owners will have the liberty to transfer ownership upon acquisition.
Addressing the National Assembly’s Delegated Legislation Committee, Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga declared the removal of the previous governmental constraint. Hinga articulated that henceforth, Kenyans will have the option to vend their units after a stipulated period of 5 years.
In response to Vice Chairperson Robert Gichimu’s inquiry into the rationale behind the government’s prohibition of resale, PS Hinga elucidated that the initial policy aimed to deter the commercial exploitation of Affordable Housing units. He underscored the incorporation of the 5-year timeframe into the impending Affordable Housing Units regulations, drawing from global benchmarks.
While these developments unfolded, committee members advocated for public involvement before project commencement.
Presently, the draft regulations require the Affordable Housing Board to issue a fortnight-long notice to the public, delineating the period for public participation. This notice must be disseminated through two nationally circulated newspapers and broadcasted by a radio station with nationwide coverage. Additionally, lawmakers proposed that the board engage at least three local radio stations, social media platforms, and other prevalent communication avenues to ensure comprehensive public interaction.
This development follows the government’s announcement that allocation of affordable housing units will be done on a case-by-case basis.
Importantly, the government disclosed its prioritization of certain groups in the allocation process, including individuals displaced by floods, persons with disabilities, and youth.
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