Affordable Housing Programme Completes 10,107 Units, Creates Over 640,000 Jobs

The Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) has completed 10,107 housing units since September 2022, with a further 196,846 units currently under construction.

In an update on Monday, August 31, State Department for Housing and Urban Development said the programme has a combined 282,551 completed and ongoing units, including institutional and staff housing as well as student accommodation. 

It has also generated more than 640,442 jobs since 2022, with the government projecting that more than one million jobs will be created over the programme’s duration. 

According to the Department, the programme includes specialised housing and support facilities for disciplined forces, civil servants and other public sector workers.

The projects are designed to provide affordable staff accommodation, with some units located near duty stations and reserved for specific cadres.

"The program also incorporates specialized facilities - including barracks, hostels, and operational support infrastructure - to meet the unique needs of uniformed services. 

"By ringfencing units for key cadres and locating developments close to duty stations, the initiative enhances operational readiness, improves staff welfare and morale, and supports recruitment and retention, while delivering affordable, accessible housing solutions that strengthen public service delivery nationwide," the department said.

The department has also expanded student housing under the programme, with 134,907 beds awarded and currently under construction, equivalent to approximately 38,545 units. 

A total of 177,686 student beds have been packaged for universities and colleges to help address the shortage of accommodation.

On employment and inclusion, the State Department said more than 640,442 jobs have been created since 2022. 

Youth participation has included 5,211 graduate interns who were shortlisted and onboarded to work across various AHP projects, alongside 70 rehabilitated youths and other low-skilled workers.

Women account for between 21% and 30% of the workforce depending on the construction site, with significant participation in finishing work, administration, community contracting and emerging technical trades.

"Women represent 21%-30% of the workforce, depending on the site, and are well represented in finishing work, administrative roles, community contracting, and emerging technical trades, with support from partners such as NITA," the department added.

The State Department said the programme has also incorporated persons living with disabilities, who account for approximately five per cent of workers on AHP projects. 

It said recruitment has focused on fairness and ensuring that host communities benefit directly, with between 47 per cent and 60 per cent of workers at each site being residents of the respective county.

The department further highlighted the role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Jua Kali businesses in the programme, noting that Ksh11 billion has been allocated specifically for MSMEs and Jua Kali enterprises within the Affordable Housing Programme and market initiatives.

"Local artisans provide a diverse array of services, including manufacturing prefabricated steel doors, windows, balustrades, and curtain rods, as well as landscaping solutions," the department further said.

Elsewhere, Jua Kali artisans account for approximately 17.5 per cent of reported labour under the programme and supply construction materials including steel doors, windows, metal fittings, timber products, cabro paving blocks and furniture. 

The department said the artisans' integration has also been supported through the Recognition of Prior Learning programme, which has certified more than 2,540 artisans, including 231 women.

The government has also incorporated climate resilience into the design of affordable housing projects across the country, with developments featuring measures intended to address flooding and promote green infrastructure.

"The State Department has designed all affordable housing schemes nationwide with climate-resilient features (such as gabions to manage floodwaters, boundary walls, and green infrastructure)," the department noted.

The department said an additional 10,000 housing units are planned along sections of the rehabilitated Nairobi River under the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme. 

At the same time, 44,000 youths are engaged through Climate Worx in activities including river clean-up, tree planting and establishing sustainable waste treatment along the riparian corridor.