KMRC to Host Affordable Housing Conference Focused on Financing Gap

The Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company will convene the fifth Kenya Affordable Housing Conference from 20 to 21 August. The event will take place at Lake Naivasha Resort in Nakuru County.

The focus this year shifts from simply building more homes to finding ways of enabling millions of Kenyans to afford them. The conference will bring together government officials, lenders, developers, investors, pension funds, SACCOs and international experts.

It is held under the theme “Scaling the Base: Unlocking Inclusive and Sustainable Housing Solutions.” Organisers note that Kenya’s housing challenge involves both the number of units under construction and the ability of households to finance purchases.

KMRC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Johnstone Oltetia said the sector must address both the shortage of affordable homes and the financing barriers that keep many Kenyans outside the formal housing market.

One gap lies on the supply side, where affordable units remain insufficient. The other is on the demand side, where Kenyans with informal or irregular incomes struggle to access housing finance.

The conference will examine alternative financing models, including blended finance, development finance and mortgage liquidity facilities. A key discussion area will be bringing informal workers, micro-entrepreneurs, SACCO members and other underserved groups into the formal system.

Representatives from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and India are expected to share experiences on lending to households that have traditionally struggled to qualify for conventional mortgages.

Discussions will also cover land administration reforms, title regularisation and improved land governance. Stakeholders will assess how such reforms can unlock housing development and attract investment.

Sustainability will feature prominently, including climate-resilient housing, green buildings and resource efficiency. Technology topics will include modern construction methods, innovative building solutions and the potential use of artificial intelligence across the housing value chain.

KMRC said technology could help lower construction costs, improve efficiency and accelerate project delivery. The conference will also examine data on Kenya’s residential property market, including the Residential Property Price Index.

Unlike many industry forums, the event will feature experiences from Kenyan homeowners. Their accounts are expected to highlight practical barriers households face.

The conference will conclude with the inaugural Kenya Affordable Housing Awards. These will recognise primary mortgage lenders for contributions to expanding homeownership, promoting sustainability, improving customer experience and driving innovation.