Zim Now writer
Stylish and affordable housing for all is not something that needs be limited to the yuppie class, local development giant has said.
“Social housing is the responsibility of government the world over. But there is space to make it make business sense to private players. As Zimbabweans we all want to see life getting better for everyone,” West Properties chief executive Mr Ken Sharpe.
He was speaking to Zim Now on the side lines of a gathering to handover 60 Millennium Heights apartments to their owners this past Friday.
Millenium Heights is part of West Properties “Bringing Dubai to Zimbabwe” concept which also includes Pokugara, Homelands 263 and Gunhill Rise and the City within a City model at Pomona City.
“Our punchline is ‘Bringing Dubai to Zimbabwe’. We want the same beauty and splendour that attracts visitors to Dubai to be experienced here in Zimbabwe. If Dubai could do it on limited land spaces in a desert, why can we not achieve the same with our vast skills base, abundant land, visionaries and top notch city planners?” said Mr Sharpe in his official speech at the handover event.
He said that West Properties is going for affordable luxury that encompasses more than just providing walls to shelter in with the total of 1000 units that will be in place when the project is done. The third block which is already under construction will have 112 units, said Mr Sharpe.
“We are building safe gated community neighbourhoods where people can live, work, play and shop, as well as amenities that include sports facilities for tennis, swimming, running, and walking tracks, braai areas, crèche, church, co-working spaces, shopping malls, internet connectivity and green energy in the form of solar energy. And above all a royal experience to live in style,” he said.
Units at Millennium Heights have an entry level price tag of US$40 000 for a studio apartment. Mortgages and other financing options are negotiable.
In response to Zim Now’s question of whether West Properties has any plans to move into the lower end of the market, Mr Sharpe said the segment is not viable for private sector players so a special PPP deal would have to be made.
“Zimbabwe is poised for great things. I am telling people out there that this is the time to be in Zimbabwe. To build the country that we want. If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”
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He said it is therefore logical to carry everyone along by creating affodable housing delivery systems, but that a sustainable model is needed whereby private sector players find value and government delivers its mandate to the people.
Zimbabwe has a housing backlog of 1,5 million plus with almost an estimated 2,8 million people living in rented accommodation. This has pushed the cost of rental sky high thus intensifying financial pressure on the most disadvantaged demographics.
Speaking at the same event where he was the guest of honour, National Housing and Social Amenities Minister, Daniel Garwe said that government is committed to ensuring sanity in the housing sector and stamp out lawlessness.
“We are not backing off on the call to put an end to the land baron scourge which has led to urban sprawl, therefore, promoting the growth of unplanned settlements. This will soon be a thing of the past as we work towards sanitisation, which is supported by strict enforcement measures to ensure that we put an end to mushrooming settlements,” said Minister Garwe.
Minister Garwe also said that government has the land to deliver housing for all and is willing to work with all players to make things work.
Mr Sharpe said that West Properties is committed to work with government to create a better country for all citizens.
“Honourable Minister you can pass on the word to His Excellency that West Property has bought into his vision of “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”. We are a Zimbabwean company that is interested in growing the local economy to promote brand Zimbabwe, attract tourists and make Zimbabwe the ideal investment destination,” said Mr Sharpe.
West Properties which has announced that it will soon be developing Warren Hills Lifestyle Estates and has the upcoming Mall of Zimbabwe has targeted to use up one billion bricks in construction by 2050.
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