The DA is concerned over the slow roll-out of housing in the metro.
According to the DA, following the appointment of Clr Mabenkenyane Thamahane in 2011 as the DA spokesperson for human settlements in the metro, they raised the department’s inability to spend money on housing grants.
“We have a massive housing backlog in the metro and with around 23 informal settlements, and our people living in squalor, it’s time we start delivering on our promises to the people.
“The executive mayor, Clr Mzwandile Masina, undertook a promise when he was elected as the mayor of Ekurhuleni, that he will make sure that the department delivers 100 000 houses and 59 000 serviced stands to communities,” said Thamahane.
According to Thamahane, there is funding available to ensure that housing is provided as the metro received a massive housing grant from the Gauteng Province.
Thamahane called on the Department of Housing and the MMC for human settlements, Clr Lesiba Mpya, to start taking the plight of the poor in the metro into account.
“The right to housing is enshrined in our constitution and as a party of law; we will continue to pressure the metro into delivering services to its people.
“More housing opportunities and the mobilisation of well-located public land for low income and affordable housing is needed throughout the metro.
“The realisation of these projects will go a long way in helping communities and the poorest of the poor.
“It will also bring renewed hope to the metro and its people.”
The GCN contacted the metro for comment and according to the metro the national and provincial departments of human settlements are providing funding for the construction of houses as per the accreditation process and the metro is accredited as level two.
“Within the servicing of stands programme of projects, 3 885 serviced housing opportunities were provided in the 2016/2017 financial year, which was the first year of the five-year term,” said Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the metro.
“Furthermore, current projects are projected to yield 8 444 serviced residential housing opportunities in the 2017/2018 financial year, which will escalate exponentially, subject to budgetary provisions and approvals in the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 financial years.
“A greater contributor of serviced housing opportunities will be coming from Mega Projects in these later years, along with planned developments under the servicing of stands programme, both attributing to the target.”
During the 2016/2017 financial year 328 houses were delivered in some communities in the metro.
Four houses were delivered in Moleleki Extensions One and Two, six in Eden Park West and Extension One, 143 is Alra Park Extension Three and 175 in Etwatwa Extension 35.
During the 2017/2018 financial year, Moleleki Extension One and Two received 108 houses, 53 were delivered in Eden Park West and Extension One, 25 in Alra Park Extension Three and Etwatwa Extension 35 has received no housing in this financial year adding up to 186 houses delivered to date.
The metro maintains that it is not contributing any funding towards the construction of houses.
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