The Department of Human Settlement currently owns 1 148 rented units of flats and 32 houses with sale agreements in Austerville. The houses were built some 30 years ago by the then House of Representatives. There were no maintenance programmes and repairs were only undertaken in extreme cases.
In 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) led government introduced policies that allowed people who are renting to buy their flats and houses in order for them to become homeowners. Due to this policy which is called the Extended Enhanced Discount Benefit Scheme (EEDBS), the residents of Austerville will be entitled to receive ownership of these 1 148 rented units and 32 sold units.
Partial maintenance was undertaken by Intercon for flats in Quality Street. This did not continue as residents were dissatisfied with the quality of repairs/painting.
Since 2008 there have been problems with this project which was effectively stuck. There were problems with the service provider overcharging etc. The matter is under litigation.
On 26 October 2010, MEC Maggie Govender met with residents of Austerville to address their concerns at a public meeting. She assured the community that the project would resume but under the correct conditions of value for money and work of good quality.
In December 2010, MEC Maggie Govender commissioned the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) to undertake an inspection of each of the units to assess the type and extent of repair work to be undertaken. The inspection commenced in December 2010. The NHBRC has been commissioned to be project managers for this project which has a value in excess of R96.4 million. Work will commence on 4 April 2011 and will be completed within 18 months. The work will be done within the subsidy quantum and will entail extensive refurbishing of the Austerville flats.
The MEC has honoured her commitment to the people of Austerville.
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements
MEC Maggie Govender announces the implementing agent and the commencement of work at Austreville flats
Province
