Under the Second Strategic Goal, Enhanced Shareholder Value and Development Impact, Shelter Afrique has operationalised the SHAF Foundation. The Foundation has as its main component the Centre of Excellence (CoE), which was launched in 2019 to advise and shape policy on affordable housing.
Shelter Afrique believes the growing COVID-19 Pandemic is proving how interrelated housing policy is to all aspects of the economy; many African Countries have experienced difficulty enacting social distancing measures when there are so many informal housing settlements. This is why Shelter Afrique believes the CoE is necessary for developing and shaping policy.
The second component of the Shelter Afrique Foundation is Corporate Social Responsibility activities. Over the last three weeks, across all regional offices, Shelter Afrique has donated relief materials to those most affected by the lockdown measures. As a start, the SHAF Foundation donated food and household goods to 4000 families in Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
Donations of 1000 test kits were made to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Additionally, given the existing relationship with Machakos County and the strategic focus, the SHAF Foundation also provided relief materials to Canton City, which is close to Everest Park, Athi River.
Last year, Shelter Afrique launched the second phase of two of our signature projects in Machakos. Everest Park, which is in Athi-River, is a Joint Venture Project between Shelter Afrique and Everest Park Limited, comprising of 380 affordable units, most of which have already been purchased. Riverview Estate in Athi-River as well is a project financed by Shelter Afrique and developed by Karibu Homes Parktel comprising of 569 affordable housing units delivered in two phases.
Indeed, many of the casual workers in Everest Park reside in Canton City.
Shelter Afrique was represented at the handover ceremony by the Board Chairman, Mr Steve Mainda and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Chimphodah. The Board Chairman commended the Governor, His Excellency, Dr Alfred Mutua, for his leadership and foresight in dealing with the pandemic proactively.