SHACK DWELLERS FEDERATION OF NAMIBIA (SDFN) &

NAMIBIA HOUSING ACTION GROUP (NHAG)

SDFN GROUP AND SAVINGS REPORT: DECEMBER 2004

Region	Savings	groups	female	male	members
Caprivi	6 518.50	1	11	29	40
Erongo	527 027.62	24	685	364	1049
Hardap	11 568.30	9	172	56	228
Karas	57 988.93	14	451	162	613
Kavango	21 219.70	12	292	90	382
Khomas	1 012 542.90	115	2792	3521	6055
Kunene	5 260.00	4	81	34	115
Ohangwena Oshikoto	80 372.45	21	651	78	729
Omaheke	66 570.57	16	354	197	551
Omusati, Oshana	82 019.76	24	538	148	686
Otjozondjupa	151 474.84	61	2318	233	2551
TOTALS		301	8345	4912	13 257

TOTAL SAVINGS DEC 04	2,022,563.60	Perc.	63%	37%	13 257

B. REGIONAL REPORTS:

1 Caprivi

	Population	Households	Hh size
Region Population	79 826	16 837	4.7
Population in Urban Areas	28%
No of Shacks in urban areas	3675

Saving Groups	1 group	40 members
Urban Areas	1 group	40
House Loans	None	Plan 3 for
Houses completed	None
Land received	Negotiated for and approved – was waiting for agreement and building permission

Katima Mulilo: During 2002 an undeveloped piece of land was allocated to 200 members in 6 saving groups. A layout was prepared by the community and drawn up. The boundaries of the block was indicated by a land surveyor. Although no contract was prepared by the Town Council, the members paid a deposit. The delays cause withdrawals from the group and the group now wants the land to be developed in phases. The Town Council was invited to an exchange in Windhoek but did not respond. Lux Development appointed a consultant to build the capacity in the TC and contact was established with her to find out the status quo.

2. Erongo

	Population	Households	Hh size
Region Population	107 663	27,492	3.8
Population in Urban Areas	80%

No of Shacks in urban areas	13283
Income
Saving Groups	24	1049 households
House Loans	107
Houses completed	101	Conventional houses
	6	Clay houses
Land received	6 groups	233 households

Usakos land are being prepared by the council. Each member has to pay N$ 150 contribution per erf.

Hentiesbay: The Town Council has approved land for 22 members to build with clay and cement roof tiles.

Case Study of Walvis Bay

Communities organizing for housing in Walvis Bay:

A saving scheme, who formed part of the network of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, was mobilized on the 24 August 1999; this saving scheme consisted of 40 members who were all backyards occupants. Late in 1999 negotiation for a block of land without internal services was initiated between the Walvis Bay Municipality and saving scheme members assisted by the Federation’s partner NGO, NHAG (Heinrich Amushila). After negotiation a block of land was made available for 20 households and sold for N$5 per square meter. NHAG assisted the group with drawing of site and houses plans and the submission to the Municipality for approval. The first house construction started in May 2001 and all 20 houses were completed by July 2001. The houses were built with funds from the first Million donated by the Ministry of Regional And Local Government and Housing (MRLGH). The cost of each house was N$ 15,000-00. The Municipality of Walvis Bay followed an open door policy with the negotiations, and supported the groups actively with the servicing.

During the construction, the Town Councillors were invited to familiarize with the construction activities and as well as the saving schemes’ activities. The Councillors headed by the former Mayor Madam Samaria donated N$ 7000 to the scheme an impressed by the activities of the group.

The houses were officially by the former Deputy Minister – Proff Totemeyer in October 2001 and in the same month the Municipality approved two blocks of land. The blocks accommodated 51 members bringing the total of members with land to 71 and these members are all homeowners.

Initiatives for community driven bulk infra-structure options with Local Authority Support

After the approval and development of the first block of land, the membership of the saving scheme in Walvis Bay increased to about 600 members. NHAG assisted again with application for further blocks of land for 600 in 2002. The Walvis Bay municipality did not have a budget for the development of new blocks of land and NHAG and Federation came up with an initiative to have the saving groups doing also the bulk infra-structure. Up till that stage servicing of land has been done by communities a reasonable success, especially where the local authorities support the process.

During 2002 NHAG negotiated with FCEAR- Spain for funds for bulk infrastructure for land where the members could install services as part of FCEAR’s Habitafrica Program. This program was approved for three towns: Windhoek, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay. A Habitafrica Co-ordinator was placed with NHAG to coordinate the program. Together with NHAG staff, she has been involved in negotiation and drawing of plans.

The Walvis Bay saving groups applied then for land without bulk North East of Kuisebmond for 450 members. One block of land was approved for 142 members in November 2003 for N$ 2 per square meter and in January 2004 NHAG and the saving groups investigating what it will cost to develop the land, and this was finalized in May 2004.

The Regional Councillor for Walvis Bay Rural Constituency was informed about this community initiative and requested the group to submit quotation of their needs. The group submitted a quote for earthwork (N$ 200 000-00). The technical division of the municipality of Walvis Bay supported the group with a draft plan for quotation purposes and also made an estimate of the costs. NHAG and Walvis Bay saving group members went to obtain prices from different contractors. The whole cost of the development of the block of land was N$3.5 million. The electricity, including a substation estimated at N$1.5 million, made out a big part of the costs. The estimate exclude the labour which will be provided by member. The total cost for one erf is about N$ 17 700-00 (where previous block land cost about N$1700 for 300 square meter plots and they spend N$2000 per households for installing the services). The low level of land, water locked soil conditions and expense of electricity is making this land unaffordable.

The results were discussed with the services department in May 2004 and it was noted that departments could not assist us much as the cost were much higher and only council could take a decision to subsidize the cost. A meeting was held with the Management Committee of the Municipality in June 2004 to request for assistance to develop this area. It was proposed to work out with the services department, how the cost could be brought down. The housing committee expressed their opinion that subsidies could not be given to these specific group op people. In October 2004, another meeting was held with the services departments and it was explained that the saving schemes could not afford the block of land in Kuisebmond, as the bulk services was too expensive. The group requested the Municipality to allocate alternative land that is affordable to them, as well as to look at the possibility pf buying individual plots. Four blocks were identified and saving groups applied for these. They were informed that these erven were earmarked for companies’ employees, though various companies also employ the saving scheme members. Only one block for 18 members could be allocated to the group in February 2005, while investigations for further land is in progress.

A National Secure Land Tenure Campaign - sharing with Walvis Bay

A Secure Land Tenure Committee was established by the National Habitat Sub Committee to support the effort to ensure access to secure land for low-income communities in Namibia, as part of a Secure Land Tenure Campaign in Namibia. Currently the Committee is collecting information on urban land issues for a cabinet submission. Members of the committee met with the Walvis Bay municipal officials on two occasions as part of familiarizing themselves about the issues being faced by the various parties involved in securing land for low income households. Both meeting were also attended by the Regional Council representatives and regional representatives of the Erongo Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia. Unfortunately the Walvis Bay Councilors were not able to attend any of these meetings. During the meetings the Walvis Bay municipal officials discuss different options which they are investigating for the community. Currently they are looking at an area that are planned for single erven, but which are not developed yet. Available serviced single erven at this stage are not earmarked for low-income households – it cost about 15,000 per erf (N$ 49 per square meter), and are in an area which is not suitable for low cost housing since it is close to the main access road of Walvis Bay.

No long term plans were at that stage in place in the Walvis Bay Town Council for delivering land to low-income groups, because of budgetary constraints. There was no major capital fund from which they can develop new land, while the Local Authority face the challenge of having about 4,000 back yard households in the town.

It will be important for the Secure Land Tenure Committee, not only to understand the issues related but also to involve the local and regional authorities and communities as partners in the campaign for secure land in the country.

Swakopmund: 35 members received single serviced erven; Construction was delayed as members, encouraged by a local councilor requested to take the loans directly through the Built Together fund, rather than channel it through the Twahangana Fund of the SDFN. . Further blocks of land are being awaited to be approved.

3. Hardap

		Population	Households	Hh size
Region Population		68 249	15 039	4.4
Population in Urban Areas		28%
No of Shacks in urban areas	3,760

Basic Statistics from Informal Settlements and Rented Rooms

Rehoboth (484 cases):		total	Male	Female
Monthly Income	median	N$300.00	N$400.00	N$300.00
	Mean	N$553.19	N$729.26	N$380.30
Sanitation		Bush	Municipal	Pit latrine
		83.5%	4.3%	12.2%
Affordability

House Loans in Hardap	61

Houses completed	61
Land received during the year
Landless

Land issues

Gochas: Village Council provided land to the saving scheme to build houses included land for elderly people.

Mariental: the Municipality of Mariental approved land for members to build houses and agreement is being finalized. The group was not satisfied with the prices of N$3.00 per square meter and approach the council to lower the price. Their application was not accepted by the Town Council, since they stated that this was already a low-cost price

4. Karas

		Population		Households	Hh size
Region Population		69 329		15 481	4.1
Population in Urban Areas		54%
No of Shacks in urban areas			7,974
Income
Saving Groups	14		613 households
House Loans	28

Houses completed	28
Land	5 groups		80 households
Landless

Land:

Luderitz: The land that was approved by Council could not be used, as water pressure was too low for the supply of the whole block. A meeting was held to explain the group’s position about the land and in turn the Municipality proposed to have a look at the land physically. The Town Engineer agreed that the land could not be easy for the poor to develop. A second meeting was held to explain to Council about the saving scheme’s scheme. At the same occasion the saving scheme submitted their application for another block of land. The land is very difficult to develop and still need to be identified. Response is being awaited.

Karasburg: Two meetings were held with the Town councilors about the possibility of providing land to the saving scheme and the Town Councillors indicated that they would like to like to provide the land the community occupies but due to shortage of funds to formalize the land onto the town’s map. The said land has not been formally surveyed and the Ministry of lands was requested to assist with their flexible land tenure’s pilot project. The Ministry is due to respond to the Council’s request.

Tses: Saving scheme negotiated with the Village Council to provide land for the construction of houses. An exchange was facilitated to the City of Windhoek end of May in which two members, two councilor and the village secretary participated. They visited the Ministry, the CoW, the Private Town Planner and the HRDC.

5. Kavango

	Population		Households	Hh size
Region Population	202 694		30 467	6.5
Population in Urban Areas	28%
No of Informal structures in urban areas		3950
Saving Groups	12 groups	382 members
Land received	200 households

Rundu: The first two groups were assisted to access 200 plots in and informal settlement area. NHAG gave support for the survey and planning of the land. The groups subsequently withdraw from SDFN, since the leaders felt that the Federation loans of N$15,000 were too small. Applications for land were made for the saving group in Sauyema to utilize the Build Together funds allocated to saving schemes, but without any response from the Council.

6 Khomas

	Population	Households	Hh size
Region Population	250,262	58 580	4.2
Population in Urban Areas	93%
Estimated No of Shacks in urban areas		16,646

Basic Statistics from Informal Settlements and Rented Rooms

Windhoek (3914 cases):		Total	Male	Female
Monthly Income	median	N$ 800	N$ 1145	N$ 600
	Mean	N$ 977	N$ 991	N$ 707
Sanitation		Bush	Communal	own

Affordability

Saving Groups	115	6,055 households
House Loans	437
Houses completed	323
Land	21	826 households
Waiting contracts (land allocated)	14	689 households

Windhoek:

Green Well Matongo C: Meetings continued to be held with the City of Windhoek to facilitate this first Federation upgrading project. The City required that the land should be subdivided in smaller blocks, and will facilitate the subdivision. The physical upgrading process can continue in the meantime.. The City of Windhoek prepared a draft upgrading agreement and monthly reports and meetings were required from the community. The agreement was discussed and accepted, but has to be referred back to council for approval before it can be signed. The upgrading preparations continued and the members identified the beneficiaries qualifying to buy blocks of land. The federation and NHAG supported the upgrading committee to map and number the shacks in each block. Some members also obtained land in Otjomuise and were relocated. Preparation for the second group to move are being finalized. This program include the relocation of 155 families, while 287 households can be accommodated on the land. The city of Windhoek expect that 57 plots remain for community members not taking part in saving groups. Efforts are made to make the process more community driven. More members became active in leading the program. The decision was also taken to have upgrading meetings with the municipality after hours closer to the settlements.

Long term land provision: SDFN prepared with the assistance of a planner an application for land for about 1200 back yard and rented rooms occupants to enable the municipality to deliver land on an annual basis and for the federation to prepare timely for the buying of blocks.

Otjomuise: The municipality signed sales agreements with 4 SDFN groups for 118 households. The federation started to occupy the land. Another three blocks of land were allocated to the Federation

Bethesda agreement: Fourteen members obtained land in Okulyangava from the City of Windhoek, after the price of the land was determined. The agreement was signed and the group occupied the land. They are preparing for construction.

Okahandja Park A, B and C: 329 members who received land are waiting for formalizing of agreements. Their plans are almost completed and will be submitted to the City Council for approval. Three groups are ready to sign agreements and are preparing for the construction of houses.

7. Kunene

		Population		Households	Hh size
Region Population		68,735		12,489	5.3
Population in Urban Areas		25%
No of Shacks in urban areas	2379
Saving Groups	4		115 households

The saving groups in this region is relatively new, and negotiations were in the initial stages.

8. Ohangwena and Oshikoto

	Population	Households	Hh size
Regions Population	389,391	64,377	6
Population in Urban Areas	5%
No of informal structures in urban areas		2,487

Saving Groups	14	181 members
Urban Areas	5
Rural Areas	12
Land received	3 groups	75 households

Tunealauo, Eenhana (Ohangwena): The municipality is in the process to measure the land and allocate plots

9. Omaheke

		Population	Households	Hh size
Region Population		68,039	12,590	5.3
Population in Urban Areas		28%
No of Shacks in urban areas	2,337

Basic Statistics from Informal Settlements and Rented Rooms

Gobabis(718 cases)		Total	Male	Female
Monthly Income	median	N$500.00	N$600.00	N$300.00
	mean	N$718.24	N$888.07	N$422.67
		Bush	Communal	No reply
Sanitation		85%	8.7%	6.4%

Saving Groups	16 groups	551 households
House Loans	39
Houses completed	38
Land received	3 groups	90 members

Gobabis: An application for 100 plots submitted to the Municipality was approved but land could not be made available to the groups as the land was occupied with shacks and still to relocate the occupants. After a follow up it seems as the Municipality didn’t yet work on relocating the community but have now a land team jointly Municipal Officials and Members to address the issues was established. The land committee meets monthly at the Federation’s information center and the community chairs the meeting. The Secure Land Tenure Committee also attended one of the meetings and was impressed by the cooperation between the community, the TC officials and the Councilors. According to one of the members of the committee it is one of the Best Practices in Namibia. The land for relocation have been prepared and the relocation process started.

Land

Epukiro: Omaheke Regional Council approved land for the saving scheme in Epukiro.

10. Omusati and Oshana

	Population	Households	Hh size
Regions’ Population	390,758	67,759	5.7
Population in Urban Areas	16%
No of Shacks in urban areas		12,361

Basic Statistics from Informal Settlements

Oshakati(1046 cases)		Total	Male	Female
Monthly Income	median	N$800.00	N$900.00	N$500.00
	mean	N$1,105.10	N$1,288.76	N$718.20
Corrugate iron shelters		973
		Bush	Dry toilet	Others/No reply
Sanitation		47.2%	38.7%	14.1%

Saving Groups	49 groups	708 households
Urban Areas	24 groups	Rural Areas	25 groups
House Loans	98
Houses completed	96
Land received	3 groups	75 households

Etunda-Ruacana: The Regional Councilor for Ruacana Constituency provided land for 50 members for the construction of houses and was measured with assistance of the land measurers from the Ministry of Lands Resettlement and Rehabilitation.

Outapi Town Council region provided a block of land without services for 75 members. The members prepared a layout and the land surveyor recently completed the survey. Pegging was done with the assistance of the Ministry of Lands, Resettlement and Rehabilitation’s division of Mapping and Surveying. Town Council approved both building and erf layout plans. Council has increased it’s support to the Community during the construction of the first 12 houses currently being build.

11. Odjozondjupa

		Population	Households	Hh size
Region Population		107 663	27,492	3.8
Population in Urban Areas		80%
No of Shacks in urban areas	5,072

Basic Statistics from Informal Settlements

Okahandja (94 cases)		Total	Male	Female
Monthly Income	median	N$400.00	N$600.00	N$400.00
	Mean	N$461.19	N$570.47	N$445.58
Corrugate iron shelters		973
		Bush	Communal/ Municipal	Others/No reply
Sanitation		38.3%	59.6%	2.1%

Saving Groups	61	2551 members
Urban Areas	40
Rural Areas	21 groups
House Loans	156
Houses completed	150
Land	8 groups	551 households

Grootfontein: A block of land was allocated to the saving scheme and the group was waiting for the Municipality to finalize the sales agreement. The land will be for 45 members. Following an exchange from the Grootfontein Regional Councillors and Local Authority with members to Windhoek The land was provided, serviced with water the area was cleared with the support of the Local Authority. The construction of houses started

Tsumeb: An application for land was submitted to the Municipality in 2001. They responded that no land was available and that they are investigating possibilities to develop land.

Okahandja: The group received a piece of land with services on the boundary and the negotiations for planning and measuring by consultants was done by the group. The households occupied the land after measuring.