Boma Yangu Explains How Kenyans Can Switch Affordable Housing Units After Applying

Kenyans registered under the government’s Affordable Housing Programme can now change their preferred housing units, including switching to different house sizes or relocating to projects in other towns.

The State Department for Housing and Urban Planning, through the Boma Yangu platform, has clarified that applicants who previously selected particular units can remove their existing preferences and choose alternative houses from the available options.

The clarification comes after applicants sought answers on whether they could change their initial selections as their financial positions, family needs and preferred locations changed.

For instance, someone who initially selected a studio apartment can switch to a one-bedroom or three-bedroom unit, provided the preferred alternative is available on the platform.

The reverse is also possible. An applicant who previously selected a three-bedroom house can opt for a smaller one-bedroom or studio apartment through the same process.

In addition to changing house sizes, applicants can select housing projects in different locations.

For example, someone who initially preferred the Southlands affordable housing project in Nairobi can switch to the Makasembo project in Kisumu if the alternative units are available.

Steps to Change Your Preferred Affordable Housing Unit

The State Department outlined a process that applicants can follow through the Boma Yangu online portal.

First, applicants must log in to their Boma Yangu accounts and navigate to the “Preferred House” section.

They should then select their previously chosen housing unit and click “View” to access its details.

After that, they should click “Remove” to delete the existing preference.

Once the previous selection has been removed, applicants can browse the available housing projects, identify their preferred unit and select it as their new choice.

The process allows applicants to adjust their housing preferences without having to create an entirely new application.

The flexibility is particularly important as the government continues developing affordable housing projects in different parts of the country, giving applicants more options depending on their household requirements and ability to pay.

How Much Deposit Do Kenyans Need to Secure Affordable Houses?

Under the Affordable Housing Programme, applicants are required to make an initial deposit equivalent to at least five per cent of the total cost of their preferred housing unit.

The remaining balance is payable through monthly instalments under the programme’s payment arrangements.

Applicants who can afford to pay the entire purchase price upfront also have the option of making a lump-sum payment instead of spreading the cost over monthly instalments.

However, the clarification does not establish whether applicants can still change their preferred units after receiving an allocation or while making payments towards a selected house.

Kenyans intending to switch their selections should therefore confirm their individual allocation and payment status with Boma Yangu before making changes.

The latest clarification gives registered applicants an opportunity to reconsider their initial choices, particularly those whose housing needs or preferred locations have changed since they joined the government programme.