HOME-SEEKERS are set to get relief following a partnership between the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association (Zaha) and the Allied Bank to avail low-income low density residential stands at Galloway Park in Norton.
Report by Melissa Mpofu
The first batch of stands was launched at a local school over the weekend.
Under the deal, prospective house owners will have to open a Home Owner savings account and maintain at least $500 in their bank accounts.
For the Norton scheme, 1 500 stands will be made available with landspace varying from 1 500sqm to 6 000sqm.
Zaha director-general Killer Zivhu said the development of the Norton stands was now underway.
“The developers from South Africa are already clearing the land and we need approximately 120 days to complete the partial development of the stands after which people can start building their houses,” said Zivhu.
He added that the partnership with Allied Bank was to ensure every Zimbabwean had access to the basic need of shelter.
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Norton mayor Albert Zinyemba who was the guest of honour at the event, welcomed the development by Zaha saying it was in line with the governments’ target of having houses for all by 2015. He challenged Allied Bank to open offices in Norton so as to make transactions easier for the people of Norton.
“Since Allied Bank is partnering with Zaha on this housing scheme, they should consider opening offices in Norton so that the people from here can have easier access to their bank rather than having to travel all the way to Harare to open bank accounts. If it is land for an office that they need, they should see me and I assist them,” he said.
Allied Bank chief executive officer, Steven Gwasira said the development came on the background of a huge housing backlog in the country.
“Under our partnership with Zaha, Allied Bank is providing the necessary banking services, through the opening of savings and fixed deposit accounts for members of the housing association spread across the country,” he said.
He added that Zaha members’ savings accounts would earn competitive monthly credit interest and would be exempted from monthly service fees or cash withdrawal fees.
