Vision: Affordable and Decent Housing for All by 2030
Zambia’s National Housing Policy 2020–2024 provides a strategic framework to address the country’s growing housing deficit and promote inclusive, sustainable, and affordable housing development. With a current shortfall of over 1.5 million housing units—projected to reach 3.3 million by 2030—the policy aims to transform the housing sector into a driver of economic growth, social equity, and improved living standards.
📌 Key Objectives
The policy is anchored on seven core objectives:
- Upgrade informal settlements and promote formal human settlements.
- Manage rapid urbanisation through integrated planning.
- Facilitate development of affordable and decent housing for all income groups.
- Ensure equitable access to land for housing development.
- Expand access to affordable housing finance.
- Strengthen disaster resilience in housing and settlements.
- Mainstream cross-cutting issues like gender, disability, climate change, and HIV/AIDS.
🛠️ Strategic Measures
To achieve its goals, the policy outlines several key measures:
- Regularising informal settlements and prioritising their upgrading.
- Promoting public-private partnerships and housing cooperatives.
- Supporting the use of local building materials and sustainable construction.
- Enhancing land administration and tenure security.
- Establishing a National Housing Fund and improving access to mortgage finance.
- Encouraging inclusive design for vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities.
🏛️ Implementation Framework
The Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development leads the policy’s implementation, working in collaboration with:
- Local Authorities
- Traditional Leaders
- Private Sector
- NGOs and Cooperating Partners
- Research and Professional Institutions
A robust monitoring and evaluation system will track progress, supported by a national Housing Management Information System (HMIS).
💡 Why It Matters
Housing is more than shelter—it’s a foundation for dignity, health, and economic opportunity. This policy aims to ensure that every Zambian, regardless of income or location, has access to a safe, affordable, and decent home.
