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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Economy & Trade

DRC housing bank: What solutions can address the housing crisis?

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • The Democratic Republic of Congo faces a housing deficit of about 4 million units, according to UN-Habitat data cited in the program.
  • Rising rents, excessive rental guarantees and limited access to construction financing have pushed many families into makeshift homes in flood-prone areas and on hillsides.
  • The government is considering a housing bank, with economists and an architect discussing its potential challenges and opportunities.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is considering the creation of a housing bank as the country faces a deficit estimated at about 4 million housing units, according to UN-Habitat.

Building a compliant home remains out of reach for many people. Some households save for years to construct their own homes, while others take out bank loans. At the same time, rents continue to rise and landlords often demand excessive rental guarantees.

Families who cannot afford those costs frequently turn to makeshift housing. Many of these homes stand in flood-prone areas or on hillsides, exposing residents to environmental risks.

The proposed housing bank is intended to help Congolese citizens gain access to decent housing. Radio Okapi’s Jody Daniel Nkashama discussed the plan’s challenges and opportunities with Symphorien Masanka Kabamba, a doctoral student in economics and management at the University of Kinshasa, and Appolinaire Kitenge, an architect.

About this summary

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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