By Millicent Senava Mannah
The Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC), in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) from the UK, the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning and UN-Habitat, has commenced a three-day Housing Policy Dialogue aimed at addressing one of the nation’s most pressing challenges; access to adequate housing. Held at the CCSL Hall on Kingharman Road in Freetown and scheduled for March 18 to 20, 2025, the dialogue is centered on the theme: “Adequate Housing for All: Bridging the Gap,” bringing together policymakers, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations and housing experts to deliberate on sustainable solutions to Sierra Leone’s housing crisis.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Lands and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, underscored the urgent need for comprehensive housing policies, emphasizing that housing is fundamental to human dignity, economic stability and social cohesion. He painted a stark picture of the realities confronting Sierra Leone, where rapid urbanization and unregulated settlements have deprived thousands of secure housing and basic services.
“The housing deficit is not just a statistic; it is a lived experience for families in Freetown’s informal settlements, for farmers displaced by land disputes and for young professionals struggling to afford decent homes,” he stated, positioning the dialogue as a decisive turning point. Calling for action beyond mere discussion, he stressed that the policies formulated must determine whether Sierra Leone builds cities of exclusion or opportunity.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Joseph Marcathy, Executive Director of SLURC, articulated the struggles faced by those in informal settlements who grapple with affordability, inadequate infrastructure and insecure tenure. He noted that while affordable housing is a global priority, income inequality remains a significant barrier, requiring deliberate collaboration between Government, city planners and stakeholders to craft impactful policies.
“This dialogue aims to support the Government in developing a new plan to advance the right to adequate housing,” he stated, pointing out that the event builds upon discussions initiated in September 2022 that sought to establish foundational principles for a housing policy. However, he lamented the lack of progress since then and expressed hope that this renewed engagement would generate the necessary momentum to drive tangible change.
Dr. Alexandre Apsan Frediani, a Principal researcher at IIED, hailed the workshop as a milestone in uniting diverse stakeholders to tackle the housing crisis. He highlighted the rarity of such multi-sector collaboration and emphasized that while the dialogue marks a crucial step, true transformation hinges on commitment and ownership from all participating institutions. Stressing the need for a sustainable platform to ensure continuity, he expressed optimism that the outcomes of the dialogue would translate into meaningful policy reforms.
Adding to the discourse, Saidu Conteh, a representative from UN-Habitat, reinforced the necessity of fostering partnerships that enable the formulation of inclusive and implementable housing policies. He assured that UN-Habitat stands ready to support Sierra Leone in creating an environment conducive to sustainable housing development.
Throughout the dialogue, participants engaged in extensive discussions, presentations and interactive sessions, dissecting the complexities of the housing crisis and identifying pathways to bridge the gap. As the deliberations continue through March 20, expectations are high that this collective effort will yield actionable solutions to ensure every Sierra Leonean has access to safe, affordable and secure housing; a fundamental pillar in building a more equitable and prosperous society.
