Rent Assistance Scheme Will Be Key to Reducing Housing Deficit – Asenso-Boakye

The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has expressed optimism that the implementation of the national rent assistance scheme will support deserving households, especially the youth, to gain access to decent rental accommodation and protection from exploitation by home owners.

This will be essential to reducing the housing deficit which stands at 1.8 million housing units.

The minister noted that the scheme was introduced in response to public outcry over the number of years of rent advance payment required by most home owners.

This has become a major challenge for Ghanaians, especially those living in urban areas. He appealed to citizens to join the government in public education about the scheme. Eligible Ghanaians can apply by logging on to www.nras.gov.gh.

Delivering the keynote address at the commissioning of SuCasa Properties Limited’s No. 1 O’Grantson communities in Accra, Asenso-Boakye said that the current housing deficit requires people-centred interventions to ensure that rental accommodation is accessible and affordable to eligible households.

He added that this will be pivotal in effectively protecting low-middle income earners from exploitation by home owners while delivering the needed housing infrastructure and services to the citizenry.

He said that the ministry’s strategy to leverage private sector resources, experiences and expertise address the country’s housing deficit. The government will provide a conducive business environment to attract private sector investments into the housing sector.

“The ministry is in constant engagements with indigenous and foreign development partners on possible collaborations to reduce the housing deficit, create an opportunity to promote continuous growth and development in the construction and housing industry,” the minister added. 

He highlighted initiatives being undertaken by the government to transform the housing industry. He said that one of the ministry’s focus is to review and enact legislations that will address institutional gaps and create a platform for best practices.

He added that the ministry intends to establish the Ghana Housing Authority to regulate, plan and manage housing developments in collaboration with private sector developers.