Somalia and UN-Habitat Planning a National Housing Policy

NAIROBI (Goobjoog News) — The Government of Somalia and the United Nations agency responsible for Human Settlements, UN-Habitat, have begun discussions to advance a national policy that connects affordable housing, urban development, and sustainable solutions for displaced people.

The Somali Ambassador to Kenya, Jabriil Ibraahim Cabdulle, held a meeting in Nairobi with officials from the UN-Habitat office in Somalia.

The meeting focused on urban infrastructure, community livelihoods, local governance, and how housing issues could be integrated into the National Change Plan.

The parties also discussed preparing a meeting dubbed “Somali Housing Breakfast,” which is expected to bring together the government, banks, businesses, development agencies, and other relevant sectors.

The aim is to create a partnership that can establish a unified policy guiding investment and development of housing in Somalia.

The plan will be linked to the Africa Affordable Housing Compact initiative, with UN-Habitat supporting the coordination of various agencies.

The proposed policy is expected to address the needs of low-income families and displaced persons, while also connecting housing to essential services and urban planning.

Ambassador Jabriil expressed Somalia's readiness to facilitate cooperation and to turn discussions into coordinated actions.

This issue is of particular importance for Somalia's cities, which are facing population growth, ongoing displacement, and increasing pressure on housing, roads, water, and other essential services.

However, the plan is still at the consultation stage. No official policy has been approved, and no budget, number of houses to be built, locations for implementation, or timeline for execution has been disclosed; therefore, the next step will depend on the outcome of the meeting and how the participating agencies agree on the funding and implementation of the plan.