Growing Housing Demand in Bulawayo
The housing waiting list in Bulawayo has seen a significant increase, reaching over 160,000 as of December 2025. This is an increase from the 158,000 recorded in November of the previous year. The rapid expansion of the city has led to a surge in demand for housing, driven by an influx of people from different parts of the country.
According to the latest council minutes, the process of updating and capturing housing waiting register forms into the AS400 computer system is still ongoing. As of December 2025, a total of 161,058 forms have been captured into the system. This indicates that the council is actively working to manage the growing number of applicants seeking housing.
Challenges in the Housing Market
There are signs that individuals with financial resources are turning to the city to purchase housing stands. Additionally, some land designated for housing development is being contracted to private developers who require cash payments from potential homebuyers. This trend has raised concerns as it may exclude local residents who face financial difficulties, allowing outsiders with more money to acquire these properties instead.
In November of the previous year, the council reported that as of September 2025, a total of 158,011 forms had been captured. This highlights the continuous effort to track and manage the housing needs of the population.
Resolving Housing Allocations
The council also addressed the issue of the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai double allocation of stands regularisation. There are currently 24 unresolved cases related to this matter. These cases involve the proper allocation of housing stands and ensuring that they are distributed fairly among eligible applicants.
Bulawayo has 12 housing administration offices spread across various locations, including Nketa, Mpopoma, Mzilikazi, Lobengula, Entumbane, Tshabalala, Magwegwe, Pumula, Nkulumane, Luveve, Cowdray Park, and Eastern. These offices play a crucial role in managing housing-related administrative tasks.
Managing Property Transfers
Among the various administrative matters handled by the offices, there is a focus on cessions. These include the transfer of properties from deceased estates, court orders, and re-sales of houses. The cessions involve properties on long-term leases, such as 25, 40, and 99-year leases, as well as those under agreements of sale.
In November 2025, a total of 65 cessions were processed, while 57 cessions were processed in December 2025. This demonstrates the ongoing efforts to manage property transfers and ensure that housing remains accessible to those in need.
