The outcomes of the housing market in the City of Lusaka are less than desirable. With approximately two-thirds of the population residing and seeking for housing solutions in the informal sector it is safe to say that the formal market has failed to meet the needs of the majority. Constrained formal housing supply is not an unknown problem to the sector and has become increasingly worse over the years. The commercial developer was identified as a private actor that has the potential to contribute positively to the sector. The objectives of the research in this regard were firstly to determine based on theory which instruments could be used to stimulate private developer activity. Secondly to ascertain the challenges and constraints the Zambian residential market presented to this actor. Finally, to outline suitable instruments that could be employed in the Zambian context to stimulate private developer activity in housing for the benefit of the low-middle income market The study was undertaken as an exploratory study using as its main instrument the interview guide. Respondents were selected from a cross section of players active generally in the housing sector and specifically on commercial projects currently active in the housing market. The main research findings highlighted that many of the constraints in the production of housing were as a result of a lack of a basic framework for a healthy functioning housing market _ adequate provision of infrastructure; an enabling regulatory environment for housing and land development; a healthy and competitive building industry. The constraints present in the Zambian housing market results in a low income market that is served and dominated by the informal sector. The research concludes that in order for private actors to contribute to the low income market the government on the one hand needs to identify and play its role as facilitator in the market. On the other, private formal actors need to identify solutions that are sensitive to the context and that bridge the huge gap that exists between the formal and informal markets.

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Steekelenburg, E. van
hdl.handle.net/2105/12027
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies

Tembo, M. (2007, September 17). Redefining the "Enabling Environment": Reform in housing production for the low-moderate income market - A case of the commercial developer in Lusaka, Zambia. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2105/12027