The Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) has showcased a new social housing delivery model in Nigeria with the provision of 100 free homes for widows in Kaduna State.
FHFL is a social housing financing fund in Nigeria that provides affordable housing and creates jobs for low-income citizens. The fund, which began operation in 2018, is promoted by the federal government of Nigeria and has made some marks in terms of housing provision.
Ademola Adebisi, chairman of the Funds, explained at the commissioning of the homes for the widows that the project integrates homeownership with skills training, livelihood support, and climate-smart construction.
“It symbolizes renewed hope and restores dignity, particularly for the 100 resilient women empowered through this initiative; Social Housing projects also reflect the fund’s shared vision of inclusive growth, where affordable housing becomes a foundation for economic participation and improved quality of life,” he said.
Adebisi added that the project reflects the funds commitment to environmental responsibility, disclosing that the homes are energy-efficient, incorporating solar energy and sustainable materials.
He added that each of the beneficiaries has received extensive livelihood support training designed to kickstart small businesses and support enduring income generation.
“Each of the homes has been provisioned with a cottage yard where agricultural produce can be grown, processed and sold at the sprawling market and communal space situated within the estate,” he added.
Earlier, in his address at the commissioning event, Governor Uba Sani had noted that the Family Homes Funds Social Housing Project aligns with his administration’s commitment to the provision of affordable houses for Kaduna State citizens.
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“Access to safe, affordable and secure housing is the foundation of human dignity. We have been partnering with local and international investors to frontally address our housing deficit.
“We recently distributed houses to families of victims of banditry under the Qatar Sannabil Project, a collaborative initiative between the Kaduna State Government and Qatar Charity,” he said.
“We have also flagged off the construction of the 3319 hectares Nuru Suraj Ungwar Dosa New Extension Layout and Urban Shelter’s 200 hectares housing project in Millennium City, Kaduna,’’ he added.
The governor also said that the Nigerian Airforce, Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Federal Housing Authority have all embarked on mass housing projects in Kaduna State “because of the conducive atmosphere we have created, coupled with our attractive incentives.’’
He recalled that the state recently organized a hugely successful International Housing Exhibition which offered a unique platform for stakeholders to discuss and share housing development initiatives, explore emerging technologies, and proffer practical solutions to Northern Nigeria’s housing challenges.
Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, recalled that the social housing project was inherited from the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“Government is work in progress. President Bola Tinubu is determined to ensure that anything started by his brother is completed and value is even added to it.
According to him, the project is a collaboration amongst the determined women who led that Adashe Cooperative and reached out to the Family Homes Funds, through the Ministry of Women Affairs.
‘’This couldn’t have been possible without the local government. This couldn’t have been possible without the state government. This couldn’t have been possible without the Federal Government and its agencies, Bagudu reasoned.
He disclosed that he and his Finance Ministry counterpart ensured that the project was funded and delivered to the beneficiaries who are widows, free of charge.
He said that he is not surprised that the first project took place in Kaduna because “we have a governor who will knock on every door, who will ensure that nobody sleeps until things are done for the benefit of the people.”
