The New Social Living Development Ltd (NSLD) social housing program in Mauritius has encountered significant delays and cost overruns. Initially estimated at Rs 12 billion for 12,000 housing units, the project is now expected to cost nearly Rs 30 billion for approximately 8,000 units. According to a progress report by the Ministry of Housing and Lands, as of September 30, 2026, only 2,922 housing units across 14 projects were fully completed, including infrastructure.
A further 2,332 housing units have been constructed but will not be handed over to beneficiaries until 2027. Essential works, such as connections to water and sanitation networks, pumping stations, and boreholes, remain to be completed. Eleven sites, representing 2,816 housing units, are still awaiting water supply infrastructure from the Central Water Authority. These developments are part of an independent audit by the Office of Public Sector Governance, which reviewed NSLD's activities since its establishment in 2019.
The audit identified weaknesses in public procurement and internal controls. Eight consultant contracts, valued at Rs 919 million, were terminated after incurring expenses of Rs 496 million, including Rs 85.6 million in compensation, without constructing any housing units. The audit also noted that infrastructure works worth Rs 5.3 billion were added to contracts without new competitive tenders. Out of 35 projects, 13 others, totaling 3,310 housing units, had on-site works completed, while five construction sites were still ongoing.
Three projects, located in Riambel, Tyack, and Balisson, are experiencing significant delays, with completion now targeted for 2028. The NSLD program aims to address the housing needs of low-income families in Mauritius. However, the project's progress has been slow, and the government faces challenges in delivering affordable housing to meet demand. The Ministry of Housing and Lands has not provided a detailed explanation for the delays and cost overruns.
The social housing program's delays and cost overruns have raised concerns about the government's ability to provide affordable housing. The NSLD was established in 2019 to oversee the development of social housing projects. The program's initial timeline and budget have been revised several times, with the latest estimates indicating a significant increase in costs and a longer completion period.
The Mauritian government has emphasized the importance of social housing in addressing the country's housing needs. However, the program's progress has been hindered by various challenges, including procurement issues and infrastructure delays. The government has announced plans to review the program's implementation and identify measures to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
The social housing program is critical to providing affordable housing options for low-income families in Mauritius. With 2,332 units set to be delivered in 2027, the government faces pressure to complete the remaining projects and meet the demand for affordable housing. The program's success will depend on effective project management, timely completion of infrastructure works, and efficient allocation of resources.
Key points
- The Mauritius social housing program has encountered significant delays and cost overruns, with the project now expected to cost nearly $30 billion for around 8,000 units.
- Only 2,922 housing units across 14 projects were fully completed as of September 30, 2026, while 2,332 units are set to be delivered in 2027.
- An independent audit identified weaknesses in public procurement and internal controls, including terminated contracts and added infrastructure works without competitive tenders.
