ZIMBABWE SHELTER SECTOR ASSESSMENT

It is the GOZ"s predicament and the overall urban shelter sector which are the subjects of this report. Zimbabwe"s urban houses are mainly semi-detached block units costing U.S. $1,200-1,900. Most are concentrated in Salisbury and Bulawayo and are owned by local governments. The Ministry of Local Government and Housing (MLGH) and its Housing Development Services Bureau (HDSB) oversee urban shelter development. Projects are initiated by local authorities; the MLGH approves plans and empowers localities to borrow. Because of the civil war, the GOZ has undergone structural and functional changes that have constrained its ability to plan, research, and evaluate housing projects. The MLGH 5-Year Program has been a step in the right direction, but housing standards are not designed to yield a range of units for different income groups; labor-intensive technology is not promoted; public land acquisition is time-consuming; infrastructure standards are unrealistic; engineers, planners, architects, craftsmen, and developers are in short supply; and formal mechanisms to accumulate savings and channel credit to borrowers do not exist. The report recommends that: (1) a series of interrelated projects be created to meet emerging housing demands; (2) higher-density housing be built in Salisbury; (3) the HDSB act as a shelter developer with localities being responsible for follow-on projects; (4) the HDSB"s role as advisor to local authorities be expanded and comprehensive project planning be linked to local interests and resources; (5) the HDSB initiate an aided self-help program and test it with the assistance of Salisbury Municipality; (6) a comprehensive manpower training program be established for architects, planners, engineers, and surveyors; (7) a project evaluation capability be developed within the HDSB and the Salisbury City Council; and (8) a household savings mobilization and loan study be initiated. Technical Appendices (PN-AAJ-278) accompany the report.