The Integrated Network for Human Settlement in the Western Cape held a housing summit this weekend to obtain clarity on housing issues and future plans from the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government. According to the Mayoral Committee member for Housing, Councillor Shehaam Sims, backyarders are on the waiting list for housing as well as those living in overcrowded rental units.
“The City has records of 334,000 families who have indicated that they have a need for housing and half a million need housing in the province, as well as 180,000 families in the 223 informal settlements across the city,” she said.
Sims said that the housing summit had been called to discuss general issues such as the new housing plans and budgets for future financial allocation policy as well as for informal settlements.
“We had the intention of presenting common and actual information, but we found that there is fierce competition between informal settlements residents and backyarders, backyarders are claiming that those living in informal settlements are getting priority treatment to that of backyarders,” she said.
“There is a great deal of land owned by National government and we are looking at ways for it to be released to local government in order for us to build more houses for those who need it urgently.”
Sims said meetings will be held to determine the correct role-players in order to widen the scope and input on certain subject matters such as tenure options and housing opportunities.
“We are aware of the individuals who have been provided with rental units and are no longer using them and have now decided to rent these homes out to others… this is an unacceptable practice which we have to deal with. They cannot use this as an economic opportunity for themselves. We have to remain as fair as possible when it comes to housing,” she urged.
Sims also said the City is also aware of some residents who have managed to jump the housing list in Mitchell’s Plain. However details have not been made public knowledge as yet and will be divulged as soon as the situation has been investigated further.
“The City has records of 334,000 families who have indicated that they have a need for housing and half a million need housing in the province, as well as 180,000 families in the 223 informal settlements across the city,” she said.
Sims said that the housing summit had been called to discuss general issues such as the new housing plans and budgets for future financial allocation policy as well as for informal settlements.
“We had the intention of presenting common and actual information, but we found that there is fierce competition between informal settlements residents and backyarders, backyarders are claiming that those living in informal settlements are getting priority treatment to that of backyarders,” she said.
“There is a great deal of land owned by National government and we are looking at ways for it to be released to local government in order for us to build more houses for those who need it urgently.”
Sims said meetings will be held to determine the correct role-players in order to widen the scope and input on certain subject matters such as tenure options and housing opportunities.
“We are aware of the individuals who have been provided with rental units and are no longer using them and have now decided to rent these homes out to others… this is an unacceptable practice which we have to deal with. They cannot use this as an economic opportunity for themselves. We have to remain as fair as possible when it comes to housing,” she urged.
Sims also said the City is also aware of some residents who have managed to jump the housing list in Mitchell’s Plain. However details have not been made public knowledge as yet and will be divulged as soon as the situation has been investigated further.
- VOC
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