Category: Affordable housing

In 2001, Majimatitu Primary School in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam, stood as a remote outpost, struggling to attract teachers forced to commute from distant locations. Recognizing the dire housing situation faced by these educators, Sister Aneth, the school matron and sponsor, took action. She sought assistance from Habitat for Humanity Tanzania, and they introduced an affordable housing loan program to address the housing crisis. Sister Aneth generously sponsored the purchase of land near the school to construct teachers’ homes.

The program carefully selected beneficiaries based on their needs and ability to repay the loan over time. The construction phase commenced to provide teachers with new homes. What set this initiative apart was the active participation of the teachers in every aspect of construction, from land clearing to concrete mixing, wall erection, and the installation of doors and windows. Habitat for Humanity provided financial support through loans, covering materials, labor costs, and technical guidance. Through their collective efforts, these dedicated teachers successfully built their own homes and moved in.

The power of homeownership became evident as Shukuru Elia Ndahagalikiye, a retired teacher, highlighted the significance of receiving a title deed for her home, which offered her stability and security in her post-retirement years. Another retired teacher, Angela Akili, shared the pivotal role Habitat for Humanity played in transforming her and her colleagues’ lives. “Without this program, the dream of homeownership felt out of reach due to our modest salaries, compounded by the burdens of rent and other essential expenses.” She spoke.

Saidi Kittogo, a retired teacher benefiting from the project, remembered the initial challenges, including the difficulty securing suitable land. The prospect of affordable homeownership fuelled their determination. Moving into their own homes brought newfound stability and freedom.

One defining characteristic of Habitat for Humanity’s approach, as emphasized by Mariam Sozigwa, a teacher at Majimatitu primary school, was community collaboration in home construction. Homeowners and skilled construction workers joined hands to actively build their homes, fostering a strong sense of community and shared responsibility among the residents. For Mariam Sozigwa, “the project not only improved my living conditions but also enhanced my overall quality of life.” She emphasized. 

Habitat for Humanity Tanzania’s housing support project went beyond shelter provision; it acted as a catalyst for economic empowerment. Rehema Mashine, another teacher at Majimatitu Primary School, emphasized how the project transformed her life economically. It allowed her to redirect resources towards investments, including land acquisition and expanding her economic ventures, significantly improving her financial well-being.

The impact of Habitat for Humanity’s work extended beyond individual teachers to the broader community. Salum Kambi Msoma, Chairperson of Chamazi Ward, acknowledged the critical need for such initiatives and highlighted the reduced stress on teachers, who no longer had to worry about housing, allowing them to focus on their profession. Legal ownership also opened doors to other financial support services, such as loans.

Shabani Mijombo, Ward Chairperson of Mkondongwa, shared his perspective on the positive impact of affordable housing for teachers, emphasizing how it significantly improved the quality of life for educators, enabling them to concentrate on their teaching roles.

Habitat for Humanity Tanzania’s work demonstrates the potential of affordable housing initiatives to uplift the lives of teachers and the broader community in Tanzania, promising a more stable, prosperous future for all. Dorothy Steven, Habitat for Humanity Tanzania’s board chairperson, expressed, “This project has had a profound impact on these teachers and their families. It provided shelter and a sense of community, economic empowerment, and homeownership.” As Tanzania continues to grow, organizations like Habitat for Humanity must expand their efforts to provide safe and affordable housing to those in need.

Affordable housing is a pressing concern in Tanzania, where our rapidly growing population and economic challenges have left many of our fellow citizens searching for a decent place to call home. I’m Daniel Mbisso, an architect by profession and currently serving as the Chair of the Strategies Committee at Habitat for Humanity Tanzania’s Board. In this article, I’ll share my experiences and insights into our organization’s mission, the challenges we’ve faced, and the progress we’ve made.

My journey with Habitat for Humanity Tanzania began in 2021 when I was called upon to play a role in revitalizing the organization’s operations in the country. The organization’s activities had somewhat slowed down, necessitating a renewed commitment. My colleagues from Ardhi University and I played a significant part in rekindling Habitat for Humanity Tanzania’s presence in Tanzania.

Affordable housing is not just about constructing homes; it’s a multi-faceted challenge. Habitat for Humanity Tanzania recognizes this and has expanded its focus to address broader community needs. Our projects now extend to areas like water supply, sanitation infrastructure, and empowering women through entrepreneurship. By ensuring clean water and improved sanitation facilities, we directly enhance the quality of life for individuals. And, by empowering women to become entrepreneurs, we work towards the sustainability of our housing initiatives.

One of the notable aspects of our work in Tanzania is our ability to inspire communities. When we deliver completed housing projects, we see the gratitude and motivation it instils in residents to actively participate in affordable housing solutions. It underscores the tremendous impact that well-executed housing programs can have on communities.

Collaboration is the cornerstone of our approach. We actively seek partnerships with various stakeholders, including NGOs such as “Tanzania Women Architects for Humanity” (TAWA), research institutions like the Building Research Institute of Ardhi University, and governmental bodies. These collaborations provide the technical expertise, knowledge sharing, and resources necessary for a holistic approach to addressing the housing challenge.

We’ve encountered our fair share of challenges, including issues with untrustworthy partners, and ensuring that housing loans reach the right recipients. However, we firmly believe that these challenges are relatively minor when compared to the vast achievements we’ve accomplished. We’re continuously refining our strategies to ensure that our resources are allocated where they’re needed most.

As Tanzania’s population continues to grow, the need for affordable housing remains a critical concern. While we’ve seen some improvements in urban areas, rural regions still face substantial challenges. The economic impact of housing extends far beyond just providing shelter; it influences livelihoods, income, and overall development. This is why collaboration between NGOs, government bodies, and communities is crucial in addressing this issue.

Habitat for Humanity Tanzania, along with other stakeholders, is actively advocating for the reduction of interest rates by banks and reduced taxes on construction materials by the government. We encourage researchers to focus on the development of affordable construction materials, and we urge citizens to consider alternative construction methods. Collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as between government bodies and NGOs, is vital for bringing about the necessary changes.

Through collaboration with various stakeholders, Habitat for Humanity Tanzania is dedicated to making a significant impact on affordable housing in Tanzania. We are addressing the housing crisis not solely by constructing homes, but also by enhancing the overall quality of life for those in need.