consumer education pilot project to help communities on housing needs
13 January 2009
In an effort to ensure access to housing programmes including housing
subsidies and rectification of defective houses in the province, the Eastern
Cape department of housing is piloting a multi million rand R3,6 million rand,
housing education consumer project geared towards helping communities gain
access to subsidy programmes and rectification of defective houses. The
programme will also create employment opportunities for 40 unemployed graduates
who studied social sciences, development studies, sociology, social work and
bachelor of admin.
The consumer practitioners will work as community development workers and
educate communities about the processes of approving subsidies, allocation of
houses and the role of municipalities in the delivery of houses. People will
also be taught about policies, maintenance issues and facilitation of the
housing programmes for beneficiaries. The consumers have been appointed at
the beginning of this month and will receive a monthly stipend for a period of
12 months.
Most people in rural areas and townships struggle to access housing
programmes due to lack of knowledge on a process to follow when applying for
housing subsidies and for rectification of defective houses. The practitioners
will service districts and rural parts of the province. The 40 housing
practitioners are currently undergoing a training focusing on housing
programmes, land transfers, Batho Pele principles, role of municipalities and
community relations. They will graduate later this month and be placed in all
the districts throughout the province. It is expected that through this
programme people will approach the department for housing assistance.
Issued by: Department of Housing, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
13 January 2009
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)
