During the budget presentation this week, Finance Minister and Vice President (VP), Ndaba Gaolathe, emphasised that the money will cater for the housing projects namely ,the Bonno Housing Scheme, Integrated Poverty Alleviation and Housing Scheme (Revamping), Public Officers Housing Scheme (for officers on D4 Salary Scale and below) and District Housing. “The government of Botswana reaffirms its commitment to ensuring access to shelter as a fundamental human right. The government is reimagining the current low-income housing programme to de-stigmatise and align it with national priorities. The reimagined programme will reflect the government’s focus on inclusivity and its commitment to providing dignified living conditions for Batswana.
Additionally, the programme will be revamped to modernise housing designs, ensuring they align with current trends and best practices in the housing sector,” Gaolathe said in his maiden budget speech. Gaolathe said in addition, the Botswana Savings Bank (BSB) is preparing to launch a proof-of-concept designed to give opportunity to an ordinary Motswana who owns land but lacks the means to develop it. He added that this initiative forms part of their broader commitment to construct 100, 000 housing units within the New Government’s five-year term, ensuring that more citizens have access to quality housing. Gaolathe’s announcement did not come as a surprise because the UDC had indicated in their 2024 elections manifesto that it would develop policies and comprehensive schemes for affordable housing. In their housing pledge, the UDC promised to ensure ownership and finance for first-time buyers/developers at fixed interest rates, making homeownership more accessible to all. In its pillar three on land, housing, environment, climate change, and green economy, the UDC pointed out that it will also use the private sector and brigades, to improve housing schemes in villages and towns by erecting at least 100, 000 houses within the five years in government.
