Interview: Herbert Jauch Calls for Radical Overhaul of Namibia’s Housing and Loan System

Namibia’s housing market is fundamentally broken and rigged in favour of commercial banks, says social justice activist Herbert Jauch, who is calling for urgent reforms to protect homebuyers and make housing more affordable for ordinary Namibians.

In a strong critique of the current system, Jauch argues that the structure of mortgage financing in the country puts excessive risk on borrowers. “Right now, if a person who took out a housing loan runs into financial difficulty and can no longer pay, they don’t just lose the house—they lose every cent they’ve already paid into it,” he said. “The banks win all the way, no matter what happens.”

According to Jauch, the problem is not just about repayment terms but also how repossessed properties are handled. He expressed concern that there is little to no regulation on who can buy houses at auctions, noting that banks and corporations are often the beneficiaries of these distressed sales. “That’s not just unjust—it’s outrageous,” he said. “Allowing corporations to snap up auctioned homes shuts out more and more wage-earning Namibians from the housing market.”

The activist further stated that the current housing finance setup is geared entirely toward the benefit of commercial lenders, leaving consumers vulnerable and excluded. “This system is designed to enrich banks, not to help people find or keep a place to live,” he said.

To remedy the situation, Jauch is calling for strict regulatory changes. These would include laws limiting which entities can buy properties at auction, stronger protections for homeowners in arrears, and a broader rethink of how housing finance is structured in Namibia.

“If we are serious about making homes accessible to people on ordinary salaries, the entire model must change,” Jauch concluded. “Right now, we are just fuelling a cycle of inequality.”

His comments echo growing calls across the country for policies that prioritise social equity and protect vulnerable citizens from being priced out of basic needs like shelter.