Seychelles’ Glacis Housing Project brings homes and hope

A new housing project in the Glacis district of Seychelles is transforming lives, offering long-awaited homes to families who have spent years searching for a place to call home.

A total of 54 homes have been completed, with 42 built during the first phase and 12 during the second phase, benefiting more than 270 residents.

For residents like Selma Baceo, a mother of two, the project represents the end of a decades-long struggle to find decent housing.

After 22 years of searching, Baceo finally received a home through the programme.

She told TRT Afrika that her children can now live comfortably and look forward to returning home each day.

“Before moving into this complex, we lived in a space that was too cramped,” she said. “I shared a single room with my two children and my little brother. But this house is much more spacious than where we lived before. A home is a place where love reigns, where you can relax and spend time with your family. I’m not the type to invite everyone over, but having more space helps my family.”

Baceo’s long journey is not unique in Seychelles, where many families face challenges finding affordable housing despite the country’s relatively high standard of living.

In 2025, Seychelles was ranked among Africa’s richest countries, with the continent’s highest GDP per capita and one of the best human development indices.

“I was very happy when I got my own house,” Baceo said. “My 15-year-old daughter had the honour of opening the door for the first time. Before, I used to stay out in town because I was afraid to go back to my old place. Now my daughter has her own space.”

Another beneficiary, Jude Sary, 45, had also struggled for years to secure permanent housing for his family.

After 14 years on the waiting list, he is now proud to call himself a homeowner.

“We waited 14 years on the waiting list to get a house,” he said. “It was difficult because our administrative documents kept getting lost. We are very happy and deeply moved. Thank you.”

For Sary, providing a safe and stable home for his family has always been his priority.

The initiative seeks to alleviate the country's housing shortage, offering families stability, security, and a foundation for socioeconomic progress.

The government is spearheading the ambitious project and, with the support of development partners, hopes to make home ownership a reality for families across Seychelles.

Officials suggest this model may inform future housing, boosting resilience, dignity and access to affordable housing nationwide.