Unlocking Public Land Value to Deliver Dignified, Affordable Urban Housing
Status: Concept / Pre-Feasibility | Location: County-Owned Estates, Mombasa County | Sponsor: Mombasa County Government with EDIC Support
THE OPPORTUNITY: ADDRESSING URBAN HOUSING DEFICITS AND UNDERUTILISED LAND
Mombasa faces a severe housing deficit driven by rapid urbanisation, population growth, and a shortage of affordable, well-located housing for the city’s workforce. At the same time, prime county-owned land is locked in low-density, dilapidated housing estates that neither meet modern living standards nor reflect the strategic value of their locations.
This mismatch represents a missed opportunity to provide dignified housing, regenerate urban neighbourhoods, and unlock land value to support inclusive economic growth.
THE SOLUTION: MIXED-INCOME, HIGH DENSITY URBAN REDEVELOPMENT
The project proposes the redevelopment of underutilised county housing estates into modern, high-density, mixed-use communities delivering affordable and social housing alongside market-rate residential units and commercial space.
Affordable housing units will be cross-subsidised by market-rate units and complementary commercial uses, enabling financial viability while maintaining social outcomes. Developments will integrate green building technologies to reduce lifecycle costs, improve energy efficiency, and enhance liveability.
Priority sites under consideration include Mzizima Housing Estate, Makadara Grounds, Buxton Garden, and Alms House, located near the CBD, port, and tourism corridor.
PROJECT DELIVERY & GOVERNANCE MODEL
The project will be implemented through a Joint Venture or public-private partnership model, with the County Government contributing land and private partners responsible for financing, construction, and delivery under a Development Agreement.
A pilot phase of approximately 300 housing units is planned, with an estimated value of ~USD 10 million, to demonstrate commercial and social viability before scaling to larger estates with a potential total investment of up to ~USD 100 million.
Private capital will be mobilised through developer equity and construction finance, supported by a clearly structured off-take model.
DEVELOPMENT IMPACT
- Job Creation: Generates ~1,200 direct jobs and ~2,400 indirect jobs during the pilot construction phase, with additional long-term employment in estate management and services as the programme scales.
- Housing Delivery: Provides high-quality, affordable housing units that directly address Mombasa’s urban housing deficit and improve living conditions for the city’s workforce.
- Urban Renewal: Catalyses regeneration of key neighbourhoods, upgrading infrastructure, public spaces, and service delivery around strategic county land parcels.
- Demonstration Effect: Establishes a scalable urban PPP model for housing and land regeneration that can be replicated across Mombasa and other counties.
THE ASK: CATALYTIC FUNDING FOR BANKABILITY
The project is at an early stage and requires catalytic support to advance to bankability.
We are seeking between USD 100,000-250,000 for funding and technical assistance to commission pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, undertake land valuation, design the commercial and off-take model, develop relocation and community engagement frameworks, and structure a clear public benefit-sharing arrangement.
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