Kisumu: The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Kisumu County government have formalized an agreement to initiate a housing upgrade programme under the New Urban Agenda. The initiative, known as the Partnership for the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda (PINUA-1), is designed to promote sustainable urbanization within local authorities, particularly in informal settlements.
According to Kenya News Agency, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach highlighted that Kenya's role as the host of the UN-Habitat headquarters has facilitated an agreement to develop affordable housing in informal settlements, aiming to enhance living standards. The PINUA-1 programme seeks to engage local regional governments in fostering urban development through housing initiatives in Kenya and across Africa. Rossbach noted that the UN-Habitat member states had endorsed the PINUA-1 programme a decade ago to advance urban housing for the urban poor.
Rossbach, speaking in Kisumu during the agreement signing with the County government, emphasized that fundamental needs such as food and shelter are central to the United Nations agencies' development agenda. She pointed out that over one billion people live in inadequate housing conditions in informal settlements. The focus of UN-Habitat's new development mandate is to empower the less privileged with resources to construct their own homes.
Rossbach acknowledged the progress made by Kisumu County in the New Urban Agenda, which her organization aims to replicate in other counties and nations. She cited the success in Muhoroni sub-county, where residents have been able to construct their own homes and access essential social amenities, including early childhood learning facilities. Over 105 UN member states are collaborating to address the housing crisis, providing workforce, construction materials, and resources to enable people to build their own homes.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o praised the project, stating that it would significantly alleviate the housing crisis in Kisumu. He mentioned that the housing programme aimed at improving conditions for the urban poor aligns with the UN-Habitat's mission to provide shelter and other necessities.
The United Nations General Assembly has resolved to transform the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements into the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), working with partners to create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. PINUA-1 aims to drive inclusive and resilient urbanization projects, focusing on co-production of green housing, participatory slum upgrading, cooperative social rental housing, and other supportive initiatives.
Through this partnership, Kisumu is set to enhance its Affordable Housing programme by addressing the financing gap in social housing. The focus is on supporting sustainable growth across municipalities, starting with practical interventions in existing communities, and offers avenues for inclusive community development and sustainable housing construction.