NSSF’S Housing Project Money That Never Was

About 10 years ago; National Social Security Fund (NSSF) announced housing projects worth millions. The housing projects remained in the board rooms; yet millions developed legs and walked away.

Well, NSSF designed a housing project for 5,000 low cost housing units for any person who can afford rent of between sh200, 000 and sh300, 000. The would be monthly rent would then be used to pay for the housing unit until the total cost is covered.

Acquiring a house from the NSSF project would be as simple as that, but the project never was. The land for the project was earmarked in 2008 on Gayaza Road in Kataremwa.  It was to be implemented in different places-the first stage  of 1,000 units was  supposed to have  500 two-bed room units; 500 three bed-room units, a school; shopping and health centres.

The estimated value of construction per unit was between $5,000 and $6,000 (sh8.5m and sh10m) then in 2008 when the dollar was still low.

Phase two included construction of 2,000 units, 1,000 of which will have two bed rooms, another 1,000 three bed rooms, a school, shopping and health centres.  The estimated value of construction per unit was between $10,000 and $20,000 (sh37m and sh74m).

Faze three included 2,000 units with leisure and entertainment complex, hospital and a school. The estimated value of construction per unit was between $20,000 and $24,000 (sh74m and sh90m). this was a strategy to provide housing for people of all income levels which was integral component in any growing economy.

Well planned housing is a key factor in determining household’s access to transport and the rest.  The burning question on everyone’s mouth is: where is the project and what happened to the money?  Is there an instant answer to this burning question?