Housing Finance Bank partnered with Habitat for Humanity and the Buganda Kingdom to champion the ?Decent Living Campaign.? This is an initiative aimed at improving lives through decent shelter, better livelihood, access to safe and clean water, better hygiene and sanitation with an objective to support approximately 360 individuals by 2030.
This was kicked off with a ground breaking ceremony in Entebbe, Busiro county on July 27, 2019 where the first set of houses will be constructed, and more are to be constructed in each of the other 6 counties of Kyadondo, Ssingo, Mawokota and Kyaggwe.
Housing Finance Bank partnered with Habitat for Humanity and the Buganda Kingdom to champion the ?Decent Living Campaign.? This is an initiative aimed at improving lives through decent shelter, better livelihood, access to safe and clean water, better hygiene and sanitation with an objective to support approximately 360 individuals by 2030.
This was kicked off with a ground breaking ceremony in Entebbe, Busiro county on July 27, 2019 where the first set of houses will be constructed, and more are to be constructed in each of the other 6 counties of Kyadondo, Ssingo, Mawokota and Kyaggwe.
?Our journey on the ?Decent Living Campaign? started last year when we joined our partners at Habitat For humanity and key stakeholders from the Kingdom of Buganda, to launch this initiative on October 27, 2018 at the Kampala Serena Hotel. This groundbreaking ceremony is therefore a key milestone as far as the implementation of this campaign is concerned. As a financial institution, we seek to work with different stakeholders in the housing sector to provide an improved customer value proposition that will enable low income earners in Uganda access housing finance solutions for low cost housing,? says the Managing Director Housing Finance Bank, Mr. Michael. K. Mugabi.
In his remarks, the second deputy prime minister of the Buganda Kingdom, Owekitibwa Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa asserted that housing is a responsibility that calls for our effort and together make a lasting contribution in improving the housing sector.? ?There is a need for social housing in order to eliminate poverty housing in Uganda. Every day, more and more vulnerable families like widows, elderly and children especially in the rural areas find themselves in a struggle to keep a decent roof over their heads. The Buganda Kingdom is therefore honoured to be part of the ?Decent Living Campaign? in a bid to empower families who live with a constant burden of uncertainty, stress and fear because of poor living conditions. I would also like to thank financial institutions like Housing Finance Bank which have remained consistent in driving the affordable housing agenda for all. For over 50 years now, Housing Finance Bank has continued to provide viable solutions that enable home ownership for all Ugandans and together, we shall leverage on all available platforms to ensure decent living, under this campaign.?
Mr. Ssentongo Abubaker who is 75 years old, a father to four children and three grandchildren was the first beneficiary under this campaign. Ssentongo suffered a back injury that made him unable to fend for his family and continue with his brick laying business. The family of 9 has been living in a one roomed house and relying on the neighbors for the toilet and bathroom amenities. With great emotion, Ssentongo remarked that he was humbled and greatly honored to have an opportunity to be supported by such dignitaries from respectable organizations. ?For a long time I have longed for a home for my family and Iam happy that this dream is finally coming to life?
The National Director, Habitat For Humanity, Leticia Kiyingi greatly appreciated Housing Finance Bank and the Buganda Kingdom for joining them in driving the decent living initiative. ?Every day, vulnerable families headed by widows, the elderly and sometimes even children especially in the rural areas find themselves in a struggle to keep a decent roof over their heads. ?It is therefore a fulfilment of our vision to see such families being supported through such initiatives?, she said.
In Uganda, provision of decent low cost housing is promoted through some key intervention areas which include; Housing Microfinance that supports low income earners to undertake incremental micro-home-loans, Vulnerable Group Housing that provides fully subsidized social housing support for vulnerable rural households, Market Systems Program that aims at seeking partnerships with private companies to provide and develop inclusive products for all income levels of people especially the low income earners, Urbanization program that is aimed at addressing issues on the New Urban Agenda such as housing, slum upgrading and sustainable environmental management and Housing Finance Bank?s incremental housing facility.
