Housing in Southern Africa July 2016

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The NHFC is embedded in the
fabric of human settlements
and this year the government’s
key development finance institution
celebrates its 20th anniversary. It has
a well-respected board under Chair
Professor Michael Katz and CEO
Samson Moraba, who have led the
NHFC for the past 16 years. This is a
long time in any business but to head
the NHFC and outlast most CEOs and
Chairs at a state owned entity is com-
mendable. Moraba shares insights
and the history of the formation of
the NHFC; the highlights as well as
the tough times.
The social housing sector devel-
opment was initiated and supported,
by the NHFC and since 1998 the
The National Housing
Finance Corporation has
disbursed R7,1 billion,
leveraged R19 billion,
and created 477 000
housing opportunities
in the past 20 years and
currently has a loan book
of R3,4 billion.
This is a formidable
achievement in unlocking
housing development,
providing social and
private, inner city rental
housing, by taking
risks where others
feared to tread, while
remaining profitable and
sustainable.
state-owned entity has offered fa-
vourable terms to encourage social
housing institutions to deliver social
rental housing for the low income
sector earning between R1 500 and
R7 500 per month.
A number of inner city housing
specialists received their first break-
through and funding opportunities
from the NHFC, and many are now
renowned housing providers with
sizeable housing stock.
The formation of funders such
as the Trust for Urban Housing Fi-
nance, a flagship project created and
initially funded by the NHFC, offers
ordinary people keen to develop
inner city housing the opportunity
to convert dilapidated, hi-jacked or
commercial buildings and contribute
to inner city regeneration
The NHFC has proven to the com-
mercial banking sector that social
housing can be a worthwhile invest-
ment, provided there are projects
of scale, and has also successfully
changed perceptions over the years
about the inner city as a no-go area.
Housing Forum
In 1994, the Botshabelo Accord
Samson Moraba
2
Leadership
NHFC