Monitoring and evaluation of housing service delivery : a case study of the Midlands Province, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This research investigated the monitoring and evaluation of housing service delivery in the Midlands Province in Zimbabwe and highlighted the challenges experienced in housing delivery, evaluated current housing policies and programs and elaborated on existing performance monitoring and evaluation systems. Government mandates local authorities to provide housing services and amenities to their stakeholders commonly known as residents. In order to fulfil these mandates, local authorities should be accountable, transparent, exhibit good corporate governance and be responsive to the changing operating environment. The capacity building of managers and its contribution towards effective housing service delivery is critical, but cannot be viewed in isolation from the legislative framework that influences how local authorities operate both at the central and local government levels. Most local authorities operate with by-laws, which have a significant influence on effective or ineffective housing service delivery. The political dispensation is also a factor affecting how performance monitoring and evaluation systems contribute to housing service delivery. Zimbabwe has been experiencing poor housing service delivery due to a number of challenges experienced by local authorities.The Midlands province is characterised by a collossal housing backlog and poor quality housing projects. Furthermore, there is poor information dissemination and unavailability of funds. Poor relationships within the three tiers of government, namely Central, Provincial and Local, together with overcrowding, are some of the major challenges facing the province. In addition, the province experiences poor monitoring and evaluation processes. Different legislative frameworks govern the operations of local authorities in the provision of housing services and monitoring and evaluation systems. It is the mandate of the Provincial government to support, monitor and evaluate housing projects in the province. In 2015, The Government of Zimbabwe introduced monitoring and evaluation tools in all public institutions as a way of achieving good governance and effective housing service delivery. The implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems in local authorities assisted in addressing the housing problems experienced in the province. This exploration investigated challenges experienced in housing service delivery and also evaluated the effects of current and future housing policies on the intended beneficiaries of housing projects. Furthermore, the enquiry evaluated existing performance monitoring and evaluation indicators for housing service delivery and developed a framework for housing delivery. The study revealed that local authorities face challenges when providing housing services, namely the, lack of motivated staff, lack of housing finance, inadequate houses the lowincome earners, no new partnerships, and social media influence. There is a lack of support from government; a lack of suitable land to construct houses; a lack of community participation; bribery in housing departments; rapidly evolving technologies; a lack of support from government and a lack of technical capacity to deliver housing services. Housing directors find it difficult to deliver and complete housing projects. This systematic investigation recommended a new housing model based on the basic premises that each sphere of government has specific managerial responsibilities to fulfil and that the M & E system should be utilised effectively. The housing model provides a reference point against which any local authority can consider its own practice and identify areas of improvement in terms of process and outcomes. The study also recommended that the three tiers of government should work collaboratively in order to solve housing service delivery problems. This paper proposed a holistic approach to solving housing delivery issues.The investigation is critical for local government perfomance management and addressed the need for robust monitoring and evaluation strategies for the improvement of housing services.