The State Department of Housing has unveiled the draft Affordable Housing Regulations, 2024, aimed at fully operationalizing the Affordable Housing Programme, including provisions for exemptions from the 1.5 per cent Housing Levy.
Outlined in the regulations are specific criteria for exemption eligibility, which consider individuals' income and backgrounds, as detailed in the Affordable Housing Act. The guidelines also delineate the application process for Kenyans seeking exemption status.
"The primary objective of the proposed Affordable Housing Regulations, 2024, is to implement the Affordable Housing Act, 2024, effectively and provide clarity on its execution. Specifically, the regulations aim to establish eligibility criteria, application procedures, validity, and revocation mechanisms for exemptions from the Levy, as stipulated under section 6 of the Act," stated the draft impact statement.
Key Guidelines Covered in the Regulations:
- Allocation of Houses: Clear directives on the allocation process.
- House Relocation: Procedures in cases of default payment.
- Deposit Amount: Revision of the initial 10% house value payment provision.
- House Change Criteria: Guidelines for house change requests.
- Loan Interest Rates: Determination of interest rates or administration fees.
- Off-take Procedures: Procedures for off-taking affordable housing units.
- Institutional Housing Development: Eligibility criteria and application procedures.
- Physical and Social Infrastructure: Development plans for project areas.
- Settlement Notices: Communication on affordable housing developments.
- Voluntary Savings Withdrawal: Guidelines under Section 52.
- Rural Affordable Housing Units: Provision details.
- Public Participation: Conducting public consultations by the Board.
- Agreement to Finance Off-take: Eligibility and application procedures.
- Approval Application: Procedures for seeking approval.
- Unit Disposal Restrictions: Framework to restrict unit disposal.
- Public Consultation Schedule: Schedule for public input, starting April 23 to April 29, 2024.
The regulations aim to ensure effective implementation and transparency in the Affordable Housing Programme. Public participation is encouraged to gather diverse perspectives on the draft regulations.