A groundbreaking initiative in Namibia is turning agricultural waste into affordable, sustainable housing.
MycoHab, a research group based in Windhoek, has developed “mycoblocks”—sturdy, heat-resistant bricks made from mushroom waste—to tackle the country’s severe housing shortage.
Kristine Haukongo, the senior cultivator at MycoHab, leads the process. Oyster mushrooms are grown on chopped-down invasive weeds, and the leftover material is baked and pressed into solid slabs, forming the building blocks of what could be Namibia’s next generation of homes.
“People think the house would smell because the blocks are made of all-natural products, but it doesn’t,” Haukongo told The Guardian. “Sometimes, there is a small touch of wood, but otherwise, it’s completely odourless.”
With nearly 90% of Namibian households earning less than $144.69 monthly, traditional housing is out of reach for many. One in five people live in makeshift homes made of scrap materials, often at risk of fires.
Mycoblock homes offer a promising alternative, providing better insulation and fire resistance than corrugated metal structures.
“MycoHab hopes to replace the iron sheet houses with something safer,” Haukongo explained. “We’ve seen too many homes burn down.”
The project’s first completed home is already proving its benefits, offering relief from Namibia’s extreme heat. Haukongo, who was pregnant at the time, recalls how the home’s insulation made it a comfortable retreat.
“I used to come here during lunch, lay down, and doze off for the whole hour,” she said.
As Namibia faces a shortfall of at least half a million homes, MycoHab’s innovation could be a game-changer—not only for affordable housing but for sustainable construction worldwide.
