The Boma Yangu portal is a solution supporting the Affordable Housing Program targeting delivery of decent and affordable housing to low and middle-income households. It aims to reduce the gap between demand and supply for housing in Kenya and provide the main component of a large framework established towards the 200,000 Affordable Houses annually.

About the Boma Yangu Portal

The Housing Portal is a platform that connects individuals to the Affordable Housing Program & Housing Fund. It allows individuals to save towards home ownership and makes access to mortgages and the National Tenant Purchase Scheme more accessible online. Allocation of homes is also through the portal. The portal is accessible via USSD, mobile web, and a web portal.

About the Affordable Housing Program

The Affordable Housing Program creates enabling environment interventions that enhance supply and facilitate demand in the housing sector in the interest of making housing affordable to all Kenyans

Increased urbanisation and low affordability for housing units is growing the annual housing deficit. 22% of Kenyans live in cities, and the urban population is growing at a rate of 4.2% every year. With this level of growth, Kenya requires approximately 200,000 new housing units annually to meet demand, yet only 50,000 homes are built, leaving the housing deficit growing by 150,000 units per year. As a result of this mismatched supply and demand, housing prices have increased by 100% since 2004.

The affordable housing program can have an impact on the broader economy beyond the delivery of homes.

Impact on GDP

• Estimate that the contribution of real estate and construction to GDP will increase from the current 7% to 14% by 2022.
• Between USD 1.5 and USD 3 induced in the economy for every USD 1 invested
• Increased construction activity can become an important source of revenue through processing of permits, approvals, and other related activity

Job creation

• Construction of housing is labor intensive
• Labor can capture up to 10.5% of the value created by the spend on affordable housing
• We estimate that for every unit constructed, there are 3 – 5 new jobs created
• Up to 8 indirect jobs created per unit

Formalization of the informal sector

• Ring-fencing strategies will ensure that the Jua Kali sector are able to supply inputs to the affordable housing program
• Light industries will also have the opportunity to provide construction materials such as cement