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In a recent revelation, the National Housing Profile of Lesotho has sounded the alarm, indicating a critical surge in the demand for affordable housing. The staggering figure of 98,000 represents the pressing need for inexpensive housing solutions that must be addressed by 2025. This urgency stems from the repercussions of an inefficient land planning and management framework, intensifying the battle for space between housing and agriculture.

Unplanned Settlements

The fallout from the clash between housing and agriculture manifests in the proliferation of unplanned settlements. This unplanned urbanization lacks essential services and infrastructure, posing a substantial threat to the housing sector.

With a dearth of amenities such as water supply, drainage, sanitation, roads, and electricity, these settlements become ticking time bombs, creating short and long-term challenges for the already fragile housing system

The Problem of Low-income Homeownership

Compounding the issue is the fact that a significant portion of the population in Lesotho lives below the poverty line. The report reveals that most low-income homeowners aspire to construct houses at affordable rates.

However, limited resources and access to home financing, mainly available to higher-income groups, exacerbate the problem. The disparity is evident, with 70 percent of households earning less than 2,000 M per month, limiting their ability to afford houses, further perpetuating the housing crisis.

Lesotho’s Housing Sector

Lesotho’s housing sector, predominantly catering to middle and high-income groups, leaves the less-privileged populace in dire straits. The lack of regulation compounds the challenges, contributing to the deterioration of housing stocks and inadequate infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.

The consequences are dire, with low-quality housing and insufficient amenities adversely affecting the vulnerable rural sector.

Sustainable Urban Development

Despite the grim scenario, there is a ray of hope outlined in the report. A new global standard for Sustainable Urban Development offers a potential lifeline for Lesotho. This initiative aims to revolutionize the management and planning of cities and areas, fostering collaboration with relevant stakeholders across governmental and private sectors.

Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 11, this comprehensive plan seeks to ensure access to adequate, affordable, and safe housing for all, along with upgrading slum areas and enhancing settlement management. Lesotho’s housing sector may find salvation through this concerted effort, steering it away from the brink of disaster and towards a more sustainable and equitable future.