This report outlines the objectives, structure and early implementation of the Oshakati Human Settlement Improvement Project (OHSIP), initiated in 1993 and supported by WUS‑Denmark in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, the Oshakati Town Council, and NISER. Originally conceived as a regional development programme, OHSIP later focused on upgrading infrastructure and housing in four shanty areas in Oshakati. The project integrates physical improvements, housing upgrades, new serviced plots, community participation, institutional strengthening, and urban development planning. It also aims to contribute to Namibia’s national housing policy, particularly the “Build Together” programme. The report reviews these components, highlights the challenges of balancing participation with technical upgrading, and describes the roles of project staff and local collaborators in implementing the initiative.