The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa has stated that the Federal Government is planning to establish a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF) for indigent families.
This was communicated by the minister in a keynote address at the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition, held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Kaduna on Monday.
According to him, the NSHF would get funds from the government budget, philanthropic organizations and well meaning and able Nigerians to provide decent shelter for low income citizens.
“Out of the 43 million households, over 85 per cent have less than N1.1 million purchasing power.
“40 per cent (about 17.2million) households fall into the poverty income group and 47 per cent (about 20.2million), fall into the low-income group.
“On the whole, statistics revealed that Nigeria is a low-income country, as it has only 13 percent of its population as middle class. The recent macroeconomic challenges including inflation have made things worse,” he said.
The minister added that there was an ongoing review to deliver some houses at no costs, explaining that once the review was complete, it would be submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval and legislation.
“Social housing is not only a necessity, it is also a security insurance for the rich and the poor, because housing is capital intensive and the government has limited funds.
“We must find alternative collective avenues to help our brothers and sisters who are underprivileged, it is for our collective good.
“In this way the underprivileged will know that we are one, that we are our brothers keepers and that will help social cohesion, understanding and peace.” Dangiwa concluded.
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