This paper deals with the use of GIS in determining suitable vacant land for low-cost housing development in north-western Windhoek. The land is meant for accommodating the economically-struggling families in the city, where approximately 19,000 families are currently in such a need. Two GIS software, namely, ILWIS and Arcview, were jointly used to analyse the vacant land in the area. Several terrain characteristics, such as flat, gently sloping and sloping were considered for the identification of suitable vacant land where it would be cheaper to develop such houses. Results show that 14.19 km2 of suitable land is available in the area for such purpose. Of this land, 13.81 km2 can accommodate approximately 46 035 erfs, each having an average size of 300 m2, while the remainder can be reserved for servicing infrastructure such as access roads and power stations. However, with the current annual growth rate of 9.5% in this area, it is predicted in other studies that in general, vacant land would be fully occupied by the year 2016. Thus, future studies should look into alternatives ways in which housing development, especially for the low and middle income families in Windhoek, could be advanced. Keywords: GIS, low-cost, housing, development, economically, struggling, families, north-western, Windhoek.