A 260-unit housing scheme in Kewtown, Athlone, delayed for a decade, has finally got the green light and is expected to be completed by Christmas.
The provincial department of housing said the People's Housing Process (PHP) initiative would cost nearly R10-million.
The project, which is due to begin on Thursday, has been delayed for more than a decade due to allegations of corruption and constant changes in the leadership of the programme, stretching the patience of beneficiaries to the limit.
Addressing more than 100 excited Kewtown residents, who had braved the cold weather to attend the meeting at the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) hall, Housing MEC Richard Dyantyi said housing needs had to be met.
While the residents were happy that the project was now taking off, there was some tension over the likely beneficiaries. Some argued that they had been on the waiting list longer than others and therefore deserved preference.
Dyantyi said the government was fighting corruption in the sector and had come up with new policies to protect the neediest.
Backyard dwellers, the disabled and pensioners were among the residents who attended the meeting and highlighted the fact that they were in dire need of decent houses.
"For more than 15 years we have been staying in a Wendy house. Please, minister, we need help - people think we have no rights," said one blind couple.
Susan Davids, 41, with five children, said: "We are overcrowded - and we all need houses."
Unlike the RDP houses, Dyantyi said beneficiaries had financially contributed to the housing project.
"Unlike in Du Noon they are not going to sell their homes - they are proud," he said. - Cape Times
The provincial department of housing said the People's Housing Process (PHP) initiative would cost nearly R10-million.
The project, which is due to begin on Thursday, has been delayed for more than a decade due to allegations of corruption and constant changes in the leadership of the programme, stretching the patience of beneficiaries to the limit.
Addressing more than 100 excited Kewtown residents, who had braved the cold weather to attend the meeting at the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) hall, Housing MEC Richard Dyantyi said housing needs had to be met.
While the residents were happy that the project was now taking off, there was some tension over the likely beneficiaries. Some argued that they had been on the waiting list longer than others and therefore deserved preference.
Dyantyi said the government was fighting corruption in the sector and had come up with new policies to protect the neediest.
Backyard dwellers, the disabled and pensioners were among the residents who attended the meeting and highlighted the fact that they were in dire need of decent houses.
"For more than 15 years we have been staying in a Wendy house. Please, minister, we need help - people think we have no rights," said one blind couple.
Susan Davids, 41, with five children, said: "We are overcrowded - and we all need houses."
Unlike the RDP houses, Dyantyi said beneficiaries had financially contributed to the housing project.
"Unlike in Du Noon they are not going to sell their homes - they are proud," he said. - Cape Times
1 comment:
Government pats itself on the back for preventing people from building "Their OWN" houses...
for ten years...
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