Nairobi, Jan. 19 -- While on a visit to the island of Zanzibar a while back, I'd marvel at their social housing apartments. They looked decent, with multiple units in robust-looking blocks. Not too high though.

Families looked like they lived dignified lives there, with clean-looking surroundings. Just the kind of quality and environment any urban manager would wish for their residents. Hope they have sustained it.

But let's get back home. Housing shortage in our urban areas bites. Policy wigs indicate that the gap is sharp.

No wonder, the mushrooming of informal settlements, and construction of poorly serviced owner-occupied houses in peri-urban areas have become the norm.

To close the gap, the State Department of Housing expects to ...