MEC for human settlements, Nombulelo Mabandla, has announced the revival of peoples housing process aimed at upscaling rural housing development in the province leading to the construction of 29 housing projects worth R696 million rand on completion in rural areas.
Most of these units, 2 114 are located in OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo district municipalities with a budget of R117 million will be completed this financial year. This is part of the rural development for the department in its pursuit to create integrated human settlements in rural areas of the province.
In Mhlontlo municipality, two wards ward two and 13 have been identified as pilot sites for rural development where all departments will collaborate in delivery of services. The department has approved 10 subsidies for destitute families in the area. This pilot project will be rolled over two financial years.
Mabandla also announced the rural housing individual voucher programme, wherein government seeks to speed up improvement of housing conditions for people in rural areas. The voucher system enables beneficiaries to claim housing subsidy to acquire building materials which they will utilise to build their own homes. This voucher programme will be piloted in Umzimvubu and Intsika Yethu municipalities. Lessons learnt from these pilots will inform the housing sector nationally on the further roll out of the programme.
For people residing in urban areas, Mabandla announced the community residential unit programme which will provide for secure stable rental tenure for lower income groups (persons with an income between R800 and R3 500).
The department will partner with municipalities to set land aside for the project in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Lukhanji, Kouga, Camdeboo, King Sabata Dalindyebo and Intsika Yethu municipalities. In addition four social housing projects have been funded and construction is under way at phase five emerald sky for 176 units, Reservoir Mews for 429 units, Southernwood 249 units and Park towers 136.
The department targets to build 22 000 units in 2010/11 which will translate to 88 000 people having access to adequate shelter. In the ending financial year, the department completed 12 689 housing units. Additional 3 256 are complete but awaiting final unit reports. 6 311 units are nearing completion, but are undergoing final checks on defects.
In our endeavour to upgrade the design outlook and quality of housing units, the provincial norms and standards have been reviewed to cater for internal and external plastering and provision of ceiling for all subsidy houses which will now be a feature on all housing projects in the province.
Contact:
Lwandile Sicwetsha
Cell: 071 671 1770
E-mail: lwandiles@echousing.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Housing, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
23 March 2010
Source: Department of Housing, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://echousing.ecprov.gov.za/)