Quick answer
Kenya's Affordable Housing Programme is funded partly by the 1.5% housing levy and allocates units through the Boma Yangu portal. Applicants register, pick a project, save towards a deposit and are allocated units by ballot, with social, affordable and market-rate categories based on monthly income.
What the programme is and how it is funded
The Affordable Housing Programme is the government's effort to deliver large volumes of low- and middle-income housing across the counties. It is funded partly through the affordable housing levy deducted from gross pay and matched by employers, alongside development partners and private developers on public land.
Units are grouped into social housing, affordable housing and affordable middle-income housing, with each band aimed at a different monthly income range. Rent-to-own and outright purchase options both exist depending on the project.
How to register and be allocated a unit
Registration happens on the Boma Yangu portal using your national ID and KRA PIN. You create a profile, declare your income band, select projects you are interested in, and begin saving towards the required deposit through the portal's payment channels.
Allocation is by ballot within your income category. Keeping your savings consistent and your profile complete improves your standing when a project in your county reaches allocation.
- Register on Boma Yangu with ID and KRA PIN.
- Declare income band honestly — it determines your category.
- Save towards the deposit through the official channels only.
- Track project progress and respond promptly to allocation notices.
Should you wait for a unit or buy privately?
Affordable housing units are genuinely cheaper per square metre than comparable private stock, but timelines are long and location choice is limited to where projects are built. If you need a home in a specific school catchment or within a fixed timeframe, the private market usually gets you there faster.
Many of our clients do both: they keep a Boma Yangu profile active while shopping privately in Ruiru, Mugutha, Thika Road and Kiambu Road, where entry-level apartments and townhouses remain within reach of a typical mortgage.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I apply for affordable housing in Kenya?
- Register on the Boma Yangu portal with your national ID and KRA PIN, complete your profile, choose a project, and start saving towards the deposit. Allocation is by ballot within your declared income category.
- How much is the housing levy in Kenya?
- The affordable housing levy is 1.5% of gross monthly pay, matched by an equal employer contribution.
- Can I get an affordable housing unit if I am self-employed?
- Yes. Self-employed and informal-sector applicants can register on Boma Yangu and save voluntarily through the portal's payment channels.
Sources & further reading
Written by Jayhenrys Homes Research Desk
About Jayhenrys Homes
Jayhenrys Homes is a Nairobi real-estate agency based in Garden Estate. We help buyers, tenants and investors compare homes, view properties and work through the buying or renting process across Nairobi and Kiambu. Have a question about this guide? Call +254 792 999888 or send us a message.