How Kenyan athletes can access affordable housing
Thousands of Kenyan athletes will soon have the opportunity to access affordable housing through a partnership between HFC and Athletics Kenya (AK).
Through this collaboration, HFC will offer home purchase financing to elite athletes and other AK members at incentivised rates through the Kenya Mortgage Refinancing Company (KMRC).
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The partnership goes beyond financial assistance to include training programmes on prudent financial management.
Athletes are educated on the importance of planning for affordable home ownership while still active in their careers.
This holistic approach aims to equip athletes with the knowledge and tools they need to make smart financial decisions and secure their future.
In addition, the partnership will facilitate links with strategic affordable housing developers and enable bulk allocation of government affordable housing projects.
By jointly applying to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, HFC and AK will streamline the process of accessing housing opportunities for athletes.
Mr. Robert Kibaara, CEO of HF Group, expressed his excitement about the historic collaboration, saying, “As a bank, we are committed to strategic partnerships that enrich lives, and through this partnership, we will enable our brave sportsmen and women to access credit and own their own homes”.
He also highlighted the potential of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in improving the living standards of Kenyans.
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AK President General (Rtd) Jack Tuwei welcomed the partnership as a long-awaited initiative addressing athletes’ plight beyond their active careers.
Tuwei noted, “We have often heard and read stories of athletes living in abject poverty despite bringing glory to the country. With this new partnership, you as an athlete can be assured that you will always have a roof over your head”.
Tuwei also encouraged Kenyan athletes to take advantage of the opportunity to use their prize money to invest in affordable housing.
He emphasised that this partnership was designed with the athletes’ best interests in mind and stressed the pride and joy that would come from knowing that their hard-earned talent was not in vain.
The collaboration between HFC and AK represents a significant step forward in supporting the livelihoods of Kenyan athletes. By providing access to affordable housing, these organisations are helping athletes secure their futures and ensure that their contributions to the nation are recognised and valued long after they have retired from their respective sports.
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