MORE SINGLE WOMEN WARM UP TO AFFORDABLE HOMES

MziziAfrica Homes has discovered that single women are fast outpacing single men in home ownership. Data from the company shows that single women own sixty seven per cent of the units in four of its affordable housing projects while single men own less than ten per cent. Most of these women are single mothers and they are aged over thirty years, with two kids.

 “We are increasingly recording more interest in our properties from women. Most single women will tell you that they want to create financial security for themselves and they find it in real estate,” said Mizizi Africa Homes chief executive officer, George Mburu.

There is no record of a single man owning any unit over the last one year, while a few have been taken up by married men with young kids.

Celebrated gospel singer, Betty Bayo who is also a client said that   when an opportunity to own an affordable house presented itself, she seized it in order to secure the future of her children and solve the hustle of settling house rent every month.

“It’s awesome, owning a home as a single woman is all about being comfortable and focused. Securing kids’ future is a priority for every single woman even if they get married later on,” said Bayo.

Kenya’s renowned female professional boxer, Fatuma Zarika who also owns a unit with Mizizi Africa homes said that she needed to keep her family under a roof where she does not incur costs in monthly rent.

“We needed somewhere we can have peace of mind. It is a very fulfilling accomplishment that gives you a sense of confidence and security especially after a very long period of suffering,” said Zarika.

Mburu said the statistics reveal the strategic role women play in advancing the affordable housing agenda, fixing housing gaps in the country and their contribution in the built industry.

“As we continue building up information in the industry we begin to understand the level of participation of women in various segments within the construction sector to see which new opportunities we can avail for them within the built environment,” said Mburu.

The developer began the process of deploying big data to its operations earlier in the year to boost efficiency of its operations and offer custom solutions to prospective homeowners. “With a better understanding of our clients, we find new ways to serve them even better by introducing new custom and targeted products as well as services that are solution oriented in future,” said Mburu.

Mizizi Africa Homes emerged the best in two national real estate awards in 2019 for transforming the way it engages and offers value to its clientele. It was ranked as the most improved real estate developer in the use of digital solutions during the third digital tech excellence awards held in  December  last year  at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi. The company was also voted the most promising housing developer in the country during the second annual Real Estate Excellence Awards 2019 held in Nairobi.