Unlocking dreams: Kenya to tackle housing finance crisis at major conference

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Kenya's affordable housing debate is set to shift towards a major obstacle facing millions of aspiring homeowners, access to affordable housing finance

- The fifth Kenya Affordable Housing Conference will bring together government, lenders, developers and international experts

- Discussions will also examine sustainable construction, artificial intelligence, land reforms and lessons from housing markets in other countries

The Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) is set to bring together key housing sector players for the fifth Kenya Affordable Housing Conference, with access to finance expected to take centre stage.

The two-day conference will be held from August 20 to 21 at Lake Naivasha Resort in Nakuru county under the theme, “Scaling the Base: Unlocking Inclusive and Sustainable Housing Solutions.”

KMRC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Johnstone Oltetia said the discussions would come at a time when Kenya's affordable housing agenda is moving beyond the construction of housing units to addressing the financial barriers keeping millions of Kenyans from owning homes.

“This year's theme speaks to both the scale of the challenge and the promise before us: to close the twin gaps that constrain access at scale,” Oltetia said.

He identified the shortage of affordable housing units as a key challenge on the supply side, while limited access to housing finance among Kenyans earning informal or irregular incomes remains a major obstacle on the demand side.

Focus on housing finance

The conference is expected to bring together government officials, financial institutions, developers, pension funds, SACCOs, development finance institutions, housing agencies, investors, policymakers and international experts.

Delegates will explore financing models such as blended finance, development finance and mortgage liquidity facilities, alongside reforms in land administration, title regularisation and land governance.

A key focus will be finding ways to extend housing finance to groups traditionally locked out of formal mortgage markets, including informal workers, micro-entrepreneurs and SACCO members.

Industry representatives from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and India are expected to share approaches for financing underserved households and strengthening the financial resilience of low- and middle-income families.

Sustainability and technology

Discussions will also examine how Kenya can promote sustainable and climate-resilient housing without pushing homes beyond the reach of ordinary households.

The agenda will cover green buildings, resource efficiency, modern construction methods and innovative building solutions, as well as the growing role of artificial intelligence across the housing value chain.

KMRC said technology could help lower construction costs, improve efficiency and accelerate the delivery of housing projects.

Data to shape housing policies

Delegates will receive insights into Kenya's residential property market, including findings from the Residential Property Price Index and emerging housing market trends.

The data is expected to help investors, lenders, developers and policymakers better understand affordability, housing demand, investment patterns and the performance of housing interventions.

The conference will also draw lessons from housing finance systems in countries including Japan, India and South Africa, examining how international approaches could be adapted to Kenya and the wider African market.

Homeowners' experience

The conference will go beyond policy discussions by featuring real-life experiences from Kenyan homeowners, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges households face on the path to homeownership.

KMRC said the insights would help ensure future housing policies and financing solutions respond to the realities experienced by citizens.

The conference will conclude with the inaugural Kenya Affordable Housing Awards, which will recognise leading primary mortgage lenders for contributions to homeownership, sustainability, customer experience and innovation across the housing value chain.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.