Boma Yangu: How to Change Your Preferred House Unit Online

Kenyans registered under the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) can now swap their preferred housing units or locations through the online portal, according to the State Department of Housing and Urban Planning.

The move follows numerous enquiries from registered applicants who sought clarity on whether they could modify their initial property choices as personal needs or financial situations change.

Under the updated guidelines, applicants can log into their Boma Yangu portal, navigate to the "Preferred House" section, view their current selection, and click "Remove". They can then browse the portal to select a new house size or transfer their application to a project in a different county.

For instance, an applicant who originally selected a studio apartment in Nairobi can upgrade to a two-bedroom or three-bedroom house, or downsize to a smaller unit. Similarly, individuals who registered for units in Nairobi, such as the Southlands housing project, can switch their preferences to regional developments, including the Makasembo project in Kisumu.

However, the ministry's clarification leaves a key operational question unanswered. Officials did not state whether unit transfers are permitted after final allocation, or if the flexibility applies only during the initial registration and saving stage.

To secure an allocation under the programme, applicants must pay a deposit equal to at least five per cent of the total cost of the unit. The remaining balance is cleared through monthly instalments, though buyers have the option to pay the full purchase price upfront to acquire ownership immediately.

The decision to allow preference changes gives applicants greater flexibility as new state housing projects launch across various counties, including ongoing developments in Eldoret and market infrastructure projects in Vihiga.