How to Apply for Affordable Housing in Kenya

Kenya faces a significant housing shortage, with millions living in informal settlements. Under the “Big Four” development agenda, the government committed to building hundreds of thousands of low-cost homes to bridge this gap. The Affordable Housing Program (AHP) aims to enable low- and middle-income Kenyans to own homes through government-subsidized projects.

The guide will outline the application process, eligibility to apply for affordable housing in Kenya, deposit policies, and the registration process through the official portal.

Kenyans will be able to navigate the application and use opportunities more effectively because they will understand the process and requirements of the program.

1Housing in Kenya

2What Type of Housing is the Cheapest in Kenya?

3What is the Deposit for Affordable Housing in Kenya?

4Who is Eligible for Affordable Housing in Kenya?

5How to apply for affordable Housing in Kenya

6Can Foreigners buy affordable housing in Kenya?

Housing in Kenya

Kenya’s urban population has grown rapidly, outpacing formal housing construction. For example, the World Bank notes that although the goal was to build 200,000 homes per year, only about 50,000 were built annually, leaving a deficit of over 2 million homes. About 61% of urban households live in informal or “slum” conditions.

To address this, the Kenyan government launched the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) under the Big Four Agenda, targeting up to 500,000 units by 2022. Under AHP, the state partners with developers to build housing projects where units are sold at lower prices (often from ~KSh 600,000 upwards) to eligible applicants.

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What Type of Housing is the Cheapest in Kenya?

Generally, the cheapest housing units in Kenya are the smallest and most basic. In the AHP scheme, “social housing” units are the most affordable category.

For example, recent regulations noted a social housing unit priced around KSh 840,000. Among marketed homes, studio (one-bedroom) or bedsitter apartments are the least expensive options.

According to one guide, studio units under the Affordable Housing Program start from around KSh 600,000. By contrast, larger 2–3 bedroom apartments can range KSh 1–2 million or more. Beyond the AHP, the cheapest housing is normally in rural or slums, or of low-cost materials.

What is the Deposit for Affordable Housing in Kenya?

Initially, the buyers under the Affordable Housing Program were expected to make a 10% deposit on the purchase price. But new rules by August 2025 have reduced this requirement by half. The parliament passed regulations decreasing the deposit to 5% of the unit cost.

For example, an apartment that used to cost Sh1.5 million has had its deposit changed to Sh75,000 as opposed to Sh150,000.

This modification is to enable homes to be more affordable through a cut on initial expenses. (The former drafts showed 10% but the law is 5% nowadays.) Note: In addition to the deposit, buyers are required to pay legal fees, stamp duty, and other related costs during purchase just like in any property purchase.

Who is Eligible for Affordable Housing in Kenya?

The applicants should be eligible in accordance with the requirements of the program, which focuses on the income level and Kenyan citizenship. The person must be a Kenyan citizens aged 18 or above to apply.

The applicants should be valid Kenyan ID holders with a KRA PIN and tax-compliant. There should also be income restrictions: the applicants must belong to the low or middle-income group (e.g., earn less than approximately KSh 150,000 per month), and vulnerable groups (women, youth, persons with disabilities, and the elderly) should have a special priority.

The applicants should be first-time buyers or have never owned a home, and should also not have received financing for a home purchase under other government programs. In reality, any Kenyan 18+ citizen who has the necessary documents and has the necessary income level may be taken into consideration.

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Applications are organized on the official Boma Yangu platform, which is available on the eCitizen platform, mobile application, or USSD code (*832#). The procedure is approximately the following:

1. Register on eCitizen

In case you do not already have one, make an eCitizen account online (www.ecitizen.go.ke). Registration will require your Kenyan ID, mobile number, and email.

2. Access Boma Yangu

Log in to eCitizen and choose the service of the Affordable Housing Program (Boma Yangu). Or you can call 832# on your phone or get the Boma Yangu mobile app.

3. Complete Housing Profile

Complete the affordable housing application form. Give personal information (name, ID, KRA PIN, contact information), employment/income information, and family information. To provide attestations like income statements and tax compliance certificates.

4. Complete Your Profile

Fill in all the necessary fields (passport photo, contacts with employers, monthly rent or mortgage, etc.). This will make sure that your eligibility is checked.

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5. Choose Project and Unit

Find housing projects on Boma Yangu and choose your desired location and type of a unit (e.g. one-bedroom, two-bedroom, etc.). When allocation rounds open, you will have an opportunity to pick specific units.

6. Pay Deposit / Housing Levy

Once you’re allocated a unit, pay the required deposit. This is often done via the housing levy (NHDF) or an approved mortgage scheme. The deposit must be paid promptly to confirm your booking.

7. Finalize Purchase

After deposit payment, proceed with signing the sale agreement, paying the balance (through mortgage or savings), and completing legal registration.

At each step, the Boma Yangu platform will guide you. For example, a housing guide explains: “Visit the Boma Yangu website and create an account using your National ID and KRA PIN” and “complete your profile by uploading required documents like proof of income”.

It also notes that once registered, you can “browse available housing projects… choose projects that meet your preferences”. The platform sends SMS/email confirming eligibility and the subsequent action plan.

Can Foreigners buy affordable housing in Kenya?

No. The Kenyan citizens are the only ones who should access the Affordable Housing Program. Foreign nationals cannot register for or be allocated homes under the government-subsidized scheme. The program’s requirement of a Kenyan ID and tax compliance effectively excludes foreigners.

That said, foreign investors or non-residents can still purchase ordinary real estate in Kenya, but only on leasehold terms (a maximum 99-year lease, per Kenyan law).

In practice, foreigners interested in Kenyan property must go through the standard real-estate market (often via foreigners’ designated housing zones), not the AHP.

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FAQs

How to qualify for affordable housing in Kenya?

you must be a Kenyan citizen aged 18 years or older. Your monthly income should fall between Ksh 15,000 and Ksh 149,999, and you need to be tax-compliant with a valid KRA PIN.

What is the deposit for affordable housing in Kenya?

Up to five percent of the purchase price of the affordable housing unit

What are the benefits of affordable housing in Kenya?

Affordable housing fosters stable communities in Kenya by ensuring that a significant portion of the population has access to secure and comfortable homes.

Conclusion

The Affordable Housing Program provides access to homeownership for many Kenyans who would otherwise be unable to afford the market prices.

Through registration on the Boma Yangu portal and meeting the specified criteria, qualified citizens may be eligible to obtain homes at subsidized prices. Through the proper information and timely action, more Kenyans who dream of owning a home can achieve it.