Tanzania – where the housing backlog is estimated at around 3 million units, despite growing by about 200 000 units a year – is attempting to resolve the crisis by undertaking major construction projects, to the value of US$40 billion.

According to a Construction Review Online report, the government has also eased access to mortgages and is considering alternative building methods in a bid to speed up the construction process.

In addition, through the Tanzania Public Servants Housing Scheme, it is building 50 000 homes for government workers over five phases. Currently, just 10 000 out of 650 000 public servants are given accommodation.

The first phase of the housing scheme was launched by state-run property developer Watumishi Housing Company (WHC) at the end of 2015.

The WHC provides government workers with more affordable mortgages that can be repaid over 25 years at lower interest rates

18 September 2018
Image: Watumishi Housing Company