Recession: 100 Lagos Residents Get Keys To Houses On Rent To Own Scheme
As part of measures to cushion biting effects of economic recession making it impossible for people to have access to decent homes, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, yesterday presented keys to the first 100 allottees of the state rent-to-own housing policy.
The state Commissioner for Housing Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, who represented the governor at the presentation of keys, held in Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa said the government has taking the bull by the horn through the implementation of the rent to own policy aimed at making housing more affordable and accessible to the citizenry.
He said, “The need to create a new face of accommodation for Lagosians especially the low and middle income earners has become imperative in view of the ever increasing population of the state.”
According to him, under the rent to own policy, all prospective home owners’ need to do is to make five percent commitment fee, take possession and pay up the remaining balance towards the ownership of the property over a period of 10 years.
He recalled that not too many people believed three months ago when the governor launched the policy in four locations including, Epe, Ikorodu Agbowa and Ojokoro , adding that even the doubting Thomas’s have benefited from the gesture.
Lawal said the allotttees will received keys from the various estate which include Micheal Otedola, Odoragunshin , Epe; Oba Adebowa, Igbogbo, Ikorodu; Choice City Agbowa, Hon. Olaitan Mustapha and Alhaja Adetoun Mustapha Ojokoro.
He assured that the allocation of the houses would be taking place on a monthly basis in a fair and just manner, devoid of lobbying or favoritism of any sort.
The commissioner explained that about twelve schemes were earmarked for the rent- to-own policy out of which five are presently being allocated, listing the other estate on the scheme to include, Odo-Onosa/Ayandu Housing scheme, Agbowa, Igbogbo 2B Housing Estate, Ikorodu, Igando Gardens-Igando and Egan-Igando, Iponri scheme, Surulere, Sangotedo scheme, Eti-Osa and Ajara Housing scheme Badagry.
Lawal informed that the government has commenced implementation of the rental housing programme as twenty percent of the available housing units in each of the rent-to-own estate have been dedicated to the rental housing programme.
He added that the rental housing programme is targeted at meeting the needs of the citizens who may not be interested in ownership or may not be able to meet the requirement of 30 percent equity contribution for mortgage or five percent commitment fee for the rent-to-own programme.
Earlier, General Manager, Lagos State Mortgage Board, Mr. Dehinde Tunwashe, said the selected estates under the scheme are located in serene and beautiful gated communities with facilities such as water treatment plants, adequate parking space, health care centre, estate management office, street lights, recreational area and a police post for security, among others
