The rapid growth of population in towns and cities in Papua New Guinea is putting pressure on the housing sector and requires a holistic housing policy framework.
This is according to the latest Spotlight article of PNG National Research Institute, A holistic policy framework is needed to address housing crisis in Papua New Guinea, released today.
According to the author Dr.Lindsay Kutan, the housing policy framework should ideally encapsulate, synchronize and coordinate the roles and functions of the public sector and the private sector.
“For the housing sector to progress, it is critical that the key stakeholders have a clear defined road map,” Dr. Kutan wrote.
Whilst there were many policy reforms and interventions conducted into the country’s housing sector in the past years, the outcomes continued to be ridiculed by challenges.
These challenges include;
- Lack of consistency and coherence in Government policy and actions.
- Lack of coordination and understanding of the roles and functions of the multiple stakeholders in the housing sector.
- Lack of recognition and support to the private sector in supply of houses.
Dr. Kutan also emphasized the importance for the policy framework to incorporate economic principles in order to foster and harness a sustainable housing market.
In order to move the housing sector forward, Dr. Kutan recommends that the first step is to complete the review of the National Housing Policy 1994 which commenced in 2017.
“This would motivate the private sector to invest more in the housing sector,” wrote Dr. Kutan.
Dr.Lindsay Kutan is the Senior Research Fellow and Program Leader of Sustainable Land Development Program (SLDP) at the PNG National Research Institute.
