Harare Freezes Stand Allocations For 20 Years In Rental Housing Pivot
Thousands of prospective homebuilders in Harare have been dealt a major blow. The city has unveiled a bold new urban policy that will halt all new housing stand allocations for the next 20 years. In a dramatic shift, Harare City Council says it will now prioritise mass rental accommodation, including walk-up flats, in a bid to cope with overwhelming housing demand and rapid population growth.
The move is part of the recently released Draft Master Plan 2025–2045, which outlines the council’s development vision for the next two decades. According to the city, the aim is to transition from stand-based housing development to rental-driven models supported by public-private partnerships (PPPs).
No New Stands, No Cooperatives, No Self-Builds
Under the plan, the council will no longer allocate residential stands—not just to individuals, but also to housing cooperatives and self-help housing schemes, which have for years dominated the capital’s low-income housing delivery.
City planners wrote:
“No allocations of housing stands will be made during the plan period. The City shall pursue mass production of rental accommodation through partnerships and joint ventures.”
This policy shift comes against a backdrop of a housing waiting list that has grown to 288,885 applicants. Currently, 43% of Harare’s households are classified as lodgers, many living in overcrowded or makeshift conditions.
Speaking during the launch of the public exhibition, one official noted:
“The city can no longer afford horizontal expansion. Densification is now the only viable option.”
Unused Land To Be Taken Back
The Master Plan also introduces tough measures for underutilised land. According to the document, all undeveloped housing land will be repossessed one month after the plan is gazetted. Furthermore, all current housing leases will be cancelled immediately, a move likely to impact many awaiting development capital or financing.
“Housing land that remains undeveloped within one month of the gazette shall be repossessed. No lease renewals will be granted,” the plan states.
The city argues that much of the land allocated in past years has not been developed, resulting in urban sprawl, service delivery challenges, and land speculation.
Public Input Open Until 16 October
The Master Plan is now on public display, and residents and stakeholders have until 16 October 2025 to submit written objections or representations to the Town Clerk or the Director of Urban Planning.
The plan includes:
- Aerial imagery
- Detailed statistical reports
- Zoning maps
- Proposals for land use, environmental sustainability, traffic flow, bulk infrastructure, and social services
According to officials, the policy is designed to create a more compact, accessible, and serviceable Harare.
Public reactions have been mixed. A visibly upset resident, who claimed to have been on the housing list since 2012, said:
“We’ve waited so long for stands. Now they want us to rent forever?”
However, others supported the plan, noting that many cooperatives had failed to develop land properly:
“It’s about time. This could bring back order to urban housing,” one attendee said.
The Draft Master Plan will determine Harare’s housing future. But for now, the message from the city is clear: no more stands—just rentals.
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The post Harare To Stop Issuing New Housing Stands For 20 Years, Will Focus On Rental Housing Instead appeared first on iHarare News.
