Hundreds of homeless families in rural parts of the province who have spent years living in shacks, backyard dwellings will spend this Christmas in decent houses with their families because of a timely completion of government built houses for hundreds of rural poor families who would not afford to build their own houses.
At least 706 new homes were completed in Cofimvaba and Matatiele in time for the homeless to move in on their new homes. Of this 700, 206 families occupied their new homes in Harry Gwala extension in Matatiele and 500 now reside at St Marks in Comfivaba. An amount of R36,6 million rand has been spent on the St Marks project while R38 million rands will be spent on completing 583 units in Matatiele. Already 206 of the 583 houses have been completed so far. All the families are now occupying the houses since November and this month.
MEC Nombulelo Mabandla has also appointed Development Bank of South Africa to facilitate construction of one thousand homes and other economic development activities in Elliotdale. Total value for construction of houses in the area is R539,4 million rands for 7 000 units. DBSA will facilitate construction of 1 000 houses while the department will consider other established developers for the construction of the remaining 6 000 houses.
This is part rural development response aimed at prioritising poor rural communities in the province.
Contact:
Lwandile Sicwetsha
Cell: 071 671 1770
Issued by: Department of Human Settlements, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
23 December 2009
