By Amos Harris
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Executive Director of the National Housing Authority (NHA), Madam Florence Geebae, has issued a stark warning regarding the deteriorating state of housing in Liberia. Revealing that nearly 70 percent of the national population currently resides in slum communities, she described the situation as a deepening national crisis fueled by decades of policy neglect and rapid, unregulated urbanization.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing on Thursday, January 22, 2026, Madam Geebae characterized the nation’s housing conditions as “devastating.” She noted that unchecked urban migration—which saw Liberia’s urban population jump from 47% in 2008 to over 54% in 2022—has transformed Monrovia and its environs into overcrowded, unsafe, and unsanitary settlements.
Madam Geebae called on the government to elevate housing to a top-tier national development priority. She stressed that the lack of affordable homes for low-income families is not merely a social issue but a driver of congestion, significant public health risks, and social instability.
“We need more housing units that are affordable for low-income families,” Madam Geebae stated. “Building these homes is the only sustainable way to reduce the overcrowded population in Monrovia and its environs. Safe housing is the foundation of a stable society.”
Beyond the alarming statistics, the NHA boss painted a troubling picture of institutional decay. She disclosed that the authority is currently grappling with severe financial and structural hurdles, including a critical lack of access to financing and refinancing for large-scale projects.
Upon assuming her role, Geebae admitted to encountering a “broken system” weakened by years of underfunding. For context, the agency—which was established on April 15, 1960, to regulate and develop national housing programs—has recently operated on shoestring budgets that barely cover administrative costs, let alone the $3.5 million required for even modest 500-unit construction projects.
In response to the crisis, the NHA has drafted a comprehensive National Housing Policy bill, which is currently undergoing review by the Law Reform Commission. If enacted, this legislation would:
- Strengthen Zoning Regulations: Providing the legal teeth to stop construction in alleyways and informal settlements.
- Establish a National Housing Trust Fund: Creating a sustainable pool of capital to move away from total dependence on the national budget.
- Implement Mortgage Systems: Partnering with institutions like the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) to make homeownership a reality for civil servants and low-income earners.
Despite the hurdles, the NHA is moving forward with a “Special Presidential Project” to acquire land in six pilot counties: Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Bong, Lofa, and Nimba. This initiative aims to construct an initial 600 housing units, which are estimated to create 3,000 indirect jobs and provide modern shelter for over 2,600 Liberians.
The magnitude of the emergency is underscored by data suggesting that Liberia needs over 512,000 new urban dwellings by 2030 to keep pace with population growth and replace dilapidated structures. Analysts warn that without the “political will” Geebae cited as the missing ingredient, the housing deficit will continue to widen, threatening both urban stability and the public health of the nation.
As the NHA waits for legislative action on its new policy bill, the question remains whether these alarming figures will finally trigger a massive state-led investment or if the warning will once again go unheeded.
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