NHC plans to build 50 green housing units in each county
NHC workers construct a sample expanded polystyrene panels house on Aga Khan Walk on June 14, 2013 as the managing director, Wachira Njuguna (centre), and the chairman, Isaac Mogaka (right), look on. Photo/Salaton Njau
The National Housing Corporation plans to construct at least 50 houses in each county, starting with police quarters, in the coming financial year.
NHC Managing Director Wachira Njuguna said the houses will be built using the cheaper Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) technology which uses soft boards and wiremesh to make floor, wall and roof panels.
“The panels act as a substitute for building stones and timber, guaranteeing better quality finished products that have thermal insulation and are environmentally friendly,” Mr Njuguna said.
It is estimated that a two bed-room unit built with the technology would cost Sh700,000 before finishing, about half of the cost when using bricks and timber.
The panels are made at a Sh1 billion factory that NHC has constructed in Mavoko to step up its delivery of affordable housing in line with its social mandate.
Mr Njuguna was speaking on Friday when he launched the EPS Msingi Month which is intended to popularise the product in the market.
On Thursday, National Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich allocated NHC Sh1.2 billion for the construction of the more than 2,000 housing units.
He also directed the Kenya Revenue Authority to identify landlords by mapping residential areas, setting the stage for taxation of income from residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
He also allocated Sh1.2 billion for construction of 1,500 house for health care workers and for improving service delivery in hospitals to create convenience in times of emergency.
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