Parliament has approved the Affordable Housing Programme new rules cutting the requirement deposit from 10 percent to 5 percent.
This will enable more Kenyans hoping to own homes under the government’s Boma Yangu programme to pay much lower deposit.
The National Assembly passed the Affordable Housing Regulations of 2025 on August 14, 2025 in a move aimed at expanding access to government funded homes and tackling the shortage of affordable units in urban areas.
Under the changes, a house worth Ksh 1.5 million will now require a deposit of Ksh 75,000 down from Ksh 150,000. The deposit for a social housing unit priced at Ksh 840,000 drops from Ksh 84,000 to Ksh 42,000.
The regulations also introduce a points based eligibility system that factors in income, household size and special needs. Applicants can choose between social, affordable and market rate housing although MPs and high income earners will only qualify for market rate units.
ALSO READ:
DP Kindiki pledges tangible economic growth in Baringo County
For the first time, the programme will cater for rural housing with residents able to access funds to build homes outside towns. The reforms also set procedures for low interest loans, deposit assistance and rent to own options.
The Boma Yangu platform remains the official channel for registration, savings, loan applications and unit selection. It is accessible via mobile app, USSD code *832# and website.
Applicants who fail to qualify can now appeal. Those who withdraw or change preference will be refunded their deposit and allowed to apply for a different unit.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah urged Kenyans to register, assuring them the allocation process will be fair and transparent. The government targets 250,000 housing units annually under the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The reforms aim to fix past challenges including more than Ksh 1.2 billion worth of unsold houses flagged in 2024. Officials hope that halving the deposit and expanding financing options will draw more Kenyans into home ownership.
By Benedict Aoya
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
