To tackle the accommodation and housing challenges the vulnerable and low-income earners are grappling with, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer intends to provide affordable shelter and accommodation options for such groups if elected president.
Ghana’s current housing deficit according to the Revised National Affordable Housing Programme as of 2023 stood at 1.8 million units. Although the Affordable Housing Schemes under successive governments are aimed at bridging this deficit, the cost of the purported affordable houses has been beyond the reach of the average Ghanaian with the vulnerable facing serious accommodation challenges.
Launching the NPP’s manifesto on Sunday, August 18th, 2024, Dr. Bawumia disclosed that his government, if elected, will implement a policy that will ensure that all income groups in addition to the vulnerable have access to a variety of decent accommodations befitting their income bracket.
This initiative, the Vice President said will also prioritize social housing for the homeless in addition to overnight stays for the vulnerable.
He further indicated that his policy would be implemented in collaboration with the private sector to ease government expenditure.
“We will partner with the private sector to build large housing estates without the government having to borrow or spend. We will also ensure a variety of accommodation types to meet different pockets and needs as follows; a social housing including homeless shelters, overnight stays for the vulnerable, and an expanded rental assistance scheme for low-income workers,” the Vice President indicated.
Dr. Bawumia also revealed plans for affordable housing projects across districts. He added that his government will revitalize State Housing Company, Tema Development Corporation, and the National Home Ownership Fund to play key roles in scaling up housing supply for low- and middle-income earners
He said, “in the area of affordable housing, we will be including district housing projects through incentives to the private sector, and real estate industry as well as expanding the services of the revived State Housing Company and the Tema Development Corporation and the National Home Ownership Fund.”
