The National Tenants’ Union of Ghana has called on the Housing Minister to convert the beleaguered Saglemi housing into a social housing. According to the union, the current housing deficits has plunged the country into the “Landlords’ market”.
Contained in a statement signed by the Secretary General of the Union, Frederick Opoku, he intimated that some landlords have taken advantage of this ‘autonomy’. By this, the few who ply trade take “undue advantage in the housing rental market”.
He further explained that, these landlords “charge rent and take rent advance exceeding the duration required in law”.
“Hon Minister, Section 25(5) of the Rent Control laws of 1963, Act 220 is very clear on that. But due to the limited supply of housing units, and demand outrunning supply, government is unable to enforce that portion of the law. That renders tenants in this country hopeless and impoverished resulting in the rise and spread of slums in the cities of our country”.
Fulfil manifesto promises
Furthermore, the Union called on the President to order and make available the 1,500 houses built at Saglemi. This, it noted, will help provide accommodation for the poor to rent.
“In your pledge to the nation in your manifesto 2020, you were categorical that in your second term, low income and social housing to provide affordable housing to the poor would be your priority.
“We are of the view that converting that affordable housing at Saglemi would prove to the good people of Ghana that you and your government are committed to promoting Social Housing as promised”.
Housing deficit
Touching, on the spiralling housing deficit in the country, Mr. Opoku maintained that it has “rocketed in excess of 2 million housing units”. It further described it as “rising at alarming rates”, a phenomenon experts confirm.
He further revealed that these experts project the country needs a little above 5.7 million rooms by 2025. However, the current housing stock delivery by both private and public sectors stand a little over 40,000 housing units annually.
“To bridge the gap, it is expected that the annual stock provided by both the private and public entities of 40,000 housing units have to increase four folds. In other words, 160,000 units annually for a continuous period of 10 years from now.
“Hon Minister, we do not have the slightest doubts that you can’t live to expectation considering your pledge of establishing an independent Housing Authority, a Housing Authority fund and increasing the pension fund from the current 5%”.
In a bid to support government, Mr. Opoku opined that the Union is ready to help government to “use the Saglemi housing project as a pilot project for rental accommodation”. Furthermore, he noted that it will serve as “social intervention” to reduce the suffering of Ghanaians.
“The Union will put in maximum efforts to help governments recoup investment into the project and build more social housing for the poor in the society to benefit.
“We are hopeful that such a gesture would help improve the messy conditions that the housing sector finds itself to today”.
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