The Nigerian Senate Committee on Housing has commended the Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) efforts in enhancing affordable home ownership for low-income earners in Nigeria through its affordable housing projects across the country.
The Committee made a positive appraisal during their oversight visits to the Family Homes Funds legacy estates in New Makun, Ogun State, and Royal Estate Darmanawa in Kano state from 28th November to 1st December 2021, where they mentioned that the magnitude and quality of the projects were impressive.
The purpose of the visits according to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing, Senator (Dr.) Sam Egwu was to among other things achieve on-spot assessment of FHFL projects in the states; develop a closer working relationship with FHFL; and deliberate on any areas of concern or assistance required.
Other members of the Senate Committee on the trip included Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa, Senator Francis Alimikhena, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Senator Danjumah La’ah, and Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya.
The Senate Committee first visited the Family Homes Funds Estate in New Makun, Ogun state, where the institution has financed the development of up to 1,020 affordable housing units for civil servants, local business persons, artisans, students, and other qualified candidates in the low to middle-income categories, before visiting the Family Homes Funds Royal Estate in Darmanawa, Kano state with another 469 units purposely built for low-income earners.
Unanimously commenting on the overall quality and impact of the estates, the Senate Committee expressed great satisfaction with the efforts being made by Family Homes Funds to provide decent and affordable homes for those who need them most. The Committee encouraged Family Homes Funds to replicate the same in as many states as possible.
‘’We like what we have seen so far. The quality is impressive and the opportunities they offer for our citizens, especially those on low-income are very much recognizable and laudable. We however encourage the Family Homes Funds to execute its affordable housing projects in every state in Nigeria so that we can have an even and sustainable impact. We commend your works and look forward to seeing more of them,’’ said the Senate Committee Chairman, Senator Sam Egwu.
During the visit to Kano, the Senate Committee and members of the Family Homes Funds team also visited the Governor of Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje who also expressed his satisfaction with the Family Homes Funds affordable housing intervention in the state.
To that effect, the Governor said: ‘’The Family Homes Funds is doing very well in Kano state. The Royal Estate in Darmanawa is a big plus to the state and does not only enable the opportunity for homeownership but for employment and other important economic activities. We are also looking forward to more of those, especially through the National Social Housing Programme, and are ready to give them all the support they require from us.’’
Living up to its mandate to provide affordable homes for Nigerians on a modest income and create jobs in the process, the Family Homes Funds is currently working with State Governments and private developers across the country to facilitate the construction of these homes that can also be acquired through the FHFL’s Help To Own Programme. The Fund has now completed 5,408 homes across eight states, with 9,148 under construction and another 13,543 ready for take-off. FHFL is also the implementing agency of the Nigeria government’s National Social Housing Programme (NSHP) that will provide up to 300,000 homes and lead to the creation of 1.5 million jobs across the country.
