In Bujumbura and its surroundings, as in other provinces, new neighborhoods continue to emerge in a “perfect disorder”. Urbanization structures seem to be lagging behind. While housing construction is now the responsibility of individuals and certain private economic operators, this has not always been the case in the past.
In Burundi, the promotion of housing dates back to the colonial period and can be subdivided into four time. From the colonial era until 1970, there was a policy of free housing for state officials. The houses were equipped and maintained by the state. It is in this context that different districts of Bujumbura à l’instar des quartiers belge (Bwiza), Rohero II, Nyakabiga (Fond d’Avance), Asiatique, etc.
Les quartiers Ngagara (I has V), Kinama and Kamenge were built between 1952 and 1957 by the Office of African Cities (OCAF). They are granted to African clerics, many of whom are Burundians, considered the first intellectuals. Subsequently, it was noted that the burden was becoming untenable for the State due to the colossal sums linked to the maintenance of the houses.
Since 1973, a policy of transferring housing to occupants has been in place. To reimburse the costs of acquiring the houses, the State grants them an allowance of 60% of their salary. The OCAF is replaced by the National Housing Office (ONL), whose mandate includes the construction of new houses. Burdened by a demand that exceeds supply, it too ceases to operate in 1979 due to lack of financial resources.
From 1980 to 1986, the State adopted a policy of assistance for civil servants in housing. The Public Real Estate Company (SIP) was created. It was responsible for developing new neighborhoods and the State undertook to subsidize 100% of the interest on first-home loans granted to its executives and agents. It supported 20% of the capital, which was capped at 3.6 million BIF (3,600 USD at the time).
So the policy of free housing for civil servants is over. Make way for the new system of renting and buying houses. The latter is introduced thanks to subsidized credits but also taken out individually. Houses are springing up again in the town hall of Bujumbura, particularly in the districts of Mutanga Sud, Ngangara VI, Kinindo, Kabondo and in other provinces such as Gitega and Ngozi.
This policy was quickly abandoned with the country’s entry into the Structural Adjustment Program under the leadership of the Bretton Woods Institutions (World Bank and International Monetary Fund).
A new era
Since 1989, a new housing policy has been implemented. From now on, the State only grants an endorsement as a guarantee for real estate loans and repayment periods have increased from 15 to 20 years. This policy is structured around different axes, in particular the annual program of 6,600 housing units, the establishment of an Urban Housing Promotion Fund (FPHU), the refinancing by the Central Bank of real estate loans for first homes, the exemption of first home income from direct taxes, etc.
The mission of the FPHU includes the mobilization of savings from the institutional sector and households to finance real estate operations and investments, mainly in the country’s urban centers. In addition, the Housing Fund for Teaching Staff grants credits to teachers for the construction of residential houses.
In order to support decent housing for all populations, Burundi is instituting a villagization policy. Modern villages where displaced persons receive plots of land in the same way as other components of society are emerging in different provinces, particularly in the south of the country. But all these policies come up against the same problem: lack of funding.
Towards the creation of a superstructure
In 2007, Burundi adopted a national housing and urbanization policy (PNHU). The development of 855 ha of land each year and the construction of 26,000 housing units by 2020 are among its main objectives. The stated ambition is the development of a balanced and well-structured urban framework.
Since 2019, six institutions formerly involved in urbanization have merged into OBUH (Burundian Housing Office). These are the General Directorate of Urban Planning and Housing (DGUH), the National Laboratory of Building and Public Works (LNBTP), the General Directorate of Building (DGB), the Municipal Technical Services Authority (SETEMU), the Social Construction and Land Development Supervision (ECOSAT) and the Public Real Estate Company (SIP).
The accumulation of all these functions by OBUHA does not seem to be keeping all its promises. New neighborhoods continue to be born anarchically and constructions do not meet construction standards. Returning to certain policies of the past, learning the necessary lessons, would contribute to solving the housing problems facing Burundians.
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2024-07-04 06:15:35