Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has revealed that money Kenyans contribute to the housing levy will not enable them to have houses in the Affordable Housing Program.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 19, CS Wahome said the housing levy only helps the government to build the houses and that Kenyans will have to pay for the Affordable Housing units.
“The money you are contributing is not supposed to give you a house, it is basically the offtake, it helps us build the house but after that, it is you who actually pays for that house. We are not building and giving you. It is like tenant purchase, you rent to own,” Wahome stated.
The Lands CS also reiterated that the government is not making money from the affordable housing project.
Wahome emphasized that the government is only subsidizing the sector to enable Kenyans to access decent houses.
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Further, the Lands CS announced she will be releasing 4,888 units by the end of March 2025 and plans to release 4,000 to 5,000 units quarterly.
“I will be releasing 4,888 units by the end of March and every quarter, I will possibly be releasing between 4,000 and 5,000 units. Most of our construction period for each project is between 12 and 18 months and if it is a bigger project, 24 to 36 months. In the next one year I should be having close to 140,000 units,” Wahome added.
The Housing levy was introduced by the Affordable Housing Act 2024 at the rate of 1.5% on the gross salary of an employee with a matching contribution from the employer.
The levy is required to be paid by the ninth working day and is managed by the Affordable Housing Board.
How to Acquire an Affordable Housing Unit
To acquire a house under the affordable housing project you first need to register on the Boma Yangu housing portal and provide personal details. This includes; your name, ID Number/Passport, and KRA pin.
Once you have registered, your details income, and credit profile will be verified, after which you can start saving for the initial deposit.
Once you have the deposit, you apply for a unit. This starts with selecting the unit you want, then completing the application profile on Boma Yangu and submitting an application for allocation.
The board will then review your application and make a determination. The outcome is communicated to applicants, with the successful ones receiving offer letters.
The successful applicant will then sign the required paperwork and move in at their convenience.
