Date of publication:
01/08/2026
United Republic of Tanzania (the)
Do domestic laws and policies allow access to social housing for forcibly displaced and stateless persons?
Assessment by population
Analysis
In Tanzania, access to public or social housing remains limited, with no explicit legal or policy provisions supporting dedicated housing programs for low-income or vulnerable groups such as refugees. Government efforts in the housing sector—primarily through institutions like the National Housing Corporation (NHC)—have largely catered to middle- and high-income earners, offering market-based solutions rather than subsidized housing. Consequently, the majority of low-income Tanzanians, including vulnerable populations such as urban refugees, rely on informal settlements or self-built housing. These areas often lack essential infrastructure and legal tenure, reflecting the broader absence of a state-led affordable housing framework.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
National Housing Corporation Act
- Year: 1990
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Housing, land & property
- Link to external source: https://www.lands.go.tz/uploads/documents/sw-1681995562-The%20National%20Housing%20Corporation%20Act.%20Cap%20295.pdf
Legal provision
Section 4.1 - Functions of the Corporation
The functions of the Corporation shall be to provide or facilitate the provision of houses and other buildings in Tanzania for use by members of the public.
National Human Settlements Development Policy
- Year: 2000
- Type: Domestic policy
- Rights Category: Nationality & facilitated naturalization
- Link to external source: https://www.ecolex.org/details/legislation/national-human-settlements-development-policy-lex-faoc205478/#:~:text=This%20National%20Human%20Settlements%20Development,the%20public%2C%20private%2C%20informal%20and
Legal provision
National Human Settlements Development Policy - Generic
National Human Settlements Development Policy - Generic