The 2017 edition of M&C Properties/Multi TV Habitat Fair has been launched, with a resolution to help address Ghana’s housing deficit.

The eighth edition of the biggest housing event in the country will span three days. It starts from Friday August 11 to Sunday 13, 2017 at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

The M&C Properties/Multi TV Habitat Fair will bring together experts and companies in the housing sector to proffer solutions to the housing needs of Ghanaians.

Data from the 2000 and 2010 Population and Housing Census pegged housing demands by citizens at 55.5 percent.

The data also estimated the country’s housing deficit to 1.7 million, a situation experts have said requires urgent solution.

The Habitat Fair was designed to make the acquisition of houses by Ghanaians easy, event Coordinator, Stephen Essoun told Myjoyonline.com.

The Fair showcases the ongoing and future trends in housing industry – architecture, building, materials, interior design, furnishing and landscaping.

Deputy Director at the Housing Ministry, Dr Theresa Tuffuor

Deputy Director at the Housing Ministry, Dr Theresa Tuffuor told participants, government’s Affordable Housing Programme abandoned in 2005 has been revamped.

“The Ministry is partnering the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) [and others] to complete the programme,” she said.

She revealed under a Public, Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, over 5,000 affordable housing unit will be built.

“Let this event offer us the opportunity to hold discussions such as how to reduce the cost of housing and how government has abolished the real estate tax,” Dr Tuffuor.

The Executive Director of the event’s headline sponsor, M&C Properties, Eric Kodi said the company’s research revealed “more heads scarcely lay under a roof” in the country.

“The building and housing industry has to grow even though M&C Properties is young, we are spreading our tentacles wide,” he said.

“Weep no more and curse nobody,” Mr Kodi announced at the programme, adding the company’s housing units at East Legon will help cut down bills.

The M&C Properties/Multi TV Habitat Fair 2017 is the place where housing developers, builders, interior designers and furnishing manufacturers can introduce their work to a large audience.

Both professional and private fairgoers will attend.