National Human Settlements Development Policy.

This National Human Settlements Development Policy is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at (i) addressing and reversing the deterioration of human settlements' conditions; (ii) harnessing existing initiatives in shelter delivery and infrastructure investment by various actors in the public, private, informal and community sectors; (ii) guiding the rapid urban growth and the transformation of the settlement pattern. The goal is in line with the Vision of having a well organized, efficient, healthy, safe and secure, and sustainable human settlements where everyone has adequate and affordable shelter which is durable, healthy, safe and legally secure, accessible and which matches with the culture and living habits of the occupants. The Mission of the Government through its Ministry of Lands and Human Settlements Development is to facilitate and create a conducive environment and framework for the achievement of the goal. The main Strategic Objectives to achieve the goal are as follows (i) make serviced land available for shelter and human settlements development to all sections of the community; (ii) improve the level of the provision of infrastructure and social services; (iii) facilitate the creation of employment opportunities and eradication of poverty; (iv) promote a balanced development of a clearly defined hierarchy of settlements in promoting human settlements development; (v) promote and include the participation of the private and popular sectors, NGOs, cooperatives and communities in planning, development, and management of human settlements; (vi) protect the environment of human settlements and of ecosystems from pollution, degradation and destruction; (vii) promote the building of capacities in training and retraining of professionals in the concerned fields; (viii) increase the proportion of the annual national budget allocated for shelter delivery and human settlements development; (ix) ensure planning legislation, building regulations, standards and other controls are consistent with the capabilities, needs and aspirations of the various sections of the population; (x) promote the use of and production of local building materials that are affordable; (xi) assist the poor acquire decent shelter; (xii) encourage development of housing areas that arc functional, healthy, aesthetically pleasant and environmentally friendly; (xiii) streamline the legal and institutional machinery for human settlements development.