The government plans to build 400 affordable houses in Homa Bay through the National Housing Corporation (NHC).
According to NHC Board Chairman Ngene Gituku, the houses will be built in stages.
A total of 110 houses will be built in the first phase, which begins later this month.
The houses have already been designed in such a way that they can comfortably accommodate families.
On Thursday, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and NHC Board Chairman Gituku signed an agreement for the construction of the houses.
According to Gituku, the project will stimulate economic development in Homa Bay.
He promised that they would construct quality houses that would allow residents to live in a conducive environment.
“We want to do a masterpiece job of providing Homa Bay residents with houses. We do a presentable job that will serve as an example to many people,” said Gituku.
He said they are not going to ensure the houses are completed at the stipulated time when the construction starts.
“We are going to ensure the construction work is completed within the stipulated timelines,” he added.
Governor Wanga expressed hope that the project will improve the living conditions of Homa Bay residents.
Homa Bay is currently suffering from a severe housing shortage. Many people live in iron sheet-walled houses. According to Wanga, the project will significantly reduce the shortage.
“We are committed to partnering with the National Government to ensure this project is completed successfully. It is going to improve the lives of our people,” Wanga said.
The Governor said construction of the houses is going to offer job opportunities to youths in Homa Bay County. This will boost the income of residents.
“We want youths who are going to provide labour to be drawn from Homa Bay County so that they can also get stable income sources,” Wanga said.
Wanga advised residents to be financially prepared to buy the houses. She argued that it will paint a negative picture if no Homa Bay residents buy the houses.
“Let everybody start saving money as early as now so that Homa Bay residents are able to buy the house once their construction is complete. I want Homa Bay residents to buy the houses in as large numbers as possible,” Wanga said.
She assured residents that the houses will be distributed equally to ensure those who can buy get them.
“We will ensure only one person buys one house to prevent hoarding of the houses. There will be fairness in the distribution of the housing units,” Wanga said.
