Moroke Sekoboto
HABITAT for Humanity Lesotho has commissioned a Sectoral Housing Market Affordability Research study aimed at driving evidence-based housing solutions in the country.
To validate the findings, the organisation hosted a stakeholder workshop at Avani Lesotho Hotel, bringing together representatives from government, financial institutions, the private sector and other key sectors.
The initiative underscores the importance of decent housing in improving health, education and economic outcomes and calls for collaborative action to address affordability challenges.
Speaking at the workshop, Habitat for Humanity Lesotho Chairperson, Lichaba Sekhosana, said the level of participation demonstrated a collective commitment among stakeholders to tackle one of Lesotho’s most pressing development challenges — ensuring that every Mosotho family has access to safe, decent and affordable housing.
Mr Sekhosana said the workshop held special significance as Habitat for Humanity Lesotho marks 25 years of service in 2026.
“In 2026, we proudly celebrate 25 years of serving vulnerable families across Lesotho. Over the past quarter-century, Habitat for Humanity Lesotho has worked closely with communities, government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to improve living conditions and expand access to adequate housing,” Mr Sekhosana said.
He said through interventions such as constructing new houses, repairing homes, providing sanitation facilities, installing water supply systems and promoting energy-efficient cooking stoves, the organisation had reached more than 3,000 households across all 10 districts.
“These achievements have improved the health, safety, resilience and dignity of thousands of families,” he said.
Despite the progress, Mr Sekhosana acknowledged that significant challenges remain.
“Many households continue to struggle with inadequate housing conditions, high construction costs, limited access to housing finance, insufficient infrastructure and economic constraints that place decent housing beyond the reach of many families. Demand for affordable housing continues to grow, particularly among low- and middle-income households,” he said.
He explained that sustainable housing solutions must be informed by reliable evidence.
“It is for this reason that Habitat for Humanity Lesotho commissioned the Sectoral Housing Market Affordability Research. The study seeks to deepen our understanding of the housing market in Lesotho, identify factors affecting housing affordability and generate practical recommendations to inform policies, programmes and investments aimed at improving access to affordable housing.”
Mr Sekhosana emphasised that housing goes beyond shelter.
“It is the foundation upon which families build their lives. Housing influences health outcomes, educational attainment, economic productivity and overall well-being. When families have access to decent and affordable housing, communities become stronger, more resilient and better positioned to contribute to national development.”
He added that addressing housing affordability cannot be left to one institution alone.
“It requires collaboration among government, financial institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations, development partners, academia and communities themselves. We hope this research and today’s discussions will strengthen partnerships and advance housing solutions that are accessible to all Basotho,” Mr Sekhosana said.
For her part, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship representative, Florina Rakeketsi, commended Habitat for Humanity for supporting government efforts to advance the housing agenda through evidence-based research.
Ms Rakeketsi said partnerships are essential in addressing housing affordability because of the complexity of the challenge.
“The housing sector addresses a foundational human need. Systemic failures in the housing market disrupt the economy, public health, labour mobility and environmental sustainability,” Ms Rakeketsi said.
She noted that Lesotho’s housing landscape continues to evolve alongside demographic and economic changes.
“Our population is constantly changing. Continuous research helps track changes in family structures, ageing populations and urbanisation trends.”
She added that the housing market is highly sensitive to interest rates, inflation and lending trends.
“Ongoing economic research helps identify affordability gaps, assess the effectiveness of housing products and develop new financing models.”
Ms Rakeketsi further highlighted the importance of climate-responsive housing solutions.
“Our climate continues to change, making research essential in developing and testing eco-friendly building materials, energy-efficient designs and resilient infrastructure.”
She said the findings come at a critical time as the ministry advances reforms in the housing sector, including the development of the National Urban Policy and the proposed Housing Bill.
“This kind of housing research forms the backbone of effective sector reform. It transforms unreliable information into empirical evidence and enables government and stakeholders to make informed decisions on housing prices and affordability.”
Stakeholders at the workshop presented an overview of the housing market affordability study and reflected on its key findings, policy priorities and institutional roles in addressing the country’s housing challenges.
