The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Freda Prempeh has assured that Government is very focused on providing affordable housing to low-income earners in the country.
She shared that most of the housing and renting initiatives are geared towards the provision of decent housing for low-income earners.
She made this known in an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show.
Per her observation, individuals and the private sector have been able to put up houses, however, many are unable to rent these apartments because of the high cost of rent. Thus, Government’s preparedness to intervene.
“The Government’s plan this time is to target the low-income earners and this includes those who cannot afford to buy plush apartments or rent plush houses. The Government will start the social housing to get everyone involved”, she said.
Detailing some objectives of the Government with regard to the housing projects, she said: “The Government is focusing on three things. One is rental; how do we help the youth so that they can be able to rent houses?
Second is ‘rent to own’; how do we ensure that the youth are able to rent on credit and pay in instalment so that they are able to eventually own the house? And the third is outright purchase”.
Freda Prempeh furthered that to reach these goals, the Government is introducing the National Rent Assistance Scheme which will support many when it comes to renting issues.
She disclosed that already Government has begun the pilot project of its new mortgage scheme for citizens which has already seen some Ghanaians owning houses through mortgages underwritten at lower interest rates.
Access to affordable housing for the majority of households has been a challenge in Ghana. However, Government has expressed commitment to deliver affordable housing through certain policy interventions such as the National Rent Assistance Scheme and the National Housing Mortgage Fund.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah
