Thursday, June 7, 2007

Capetonians promised housing worth R1.2 billion

The Western Cape housing department says it will spend R1.2 billion to build houses. Richard Dyantyi, the provincial housing and local government minister, says R428 million will be spent in this financial year.

Fifteen areas have been identified for the housing project. Included are Gugulethu, Nyanga, Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha.

However, Dyantyi admitted that the province is facing a housing backlog of 409,000.

Meanwhile, the Standing Committee on Housing and Local Government in the Western Cape legislature has raised concern about the lack of community integration in the greater metropolitan area.

Patrick McKenzie, the committee chairperson, supported the department’s R1.2 billion budget presented this afternoon.

McKenzie referred to the Pilot Housing Project at the N2 Gateway in Langa as an example. He said the fact that the area has only 10 people who are not black Africans, is a demonstration that something is wrong with the integration process. - SABC

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