Eeufees Oord’s empty units continue to deny housing to vulnerable elderly

The Eeufees Oord retirement village in Westdene continues to be in a state of disrepair with empty units, despite waiting lists.

Almost a year since the city said it would make them available for occupation, nothing has been done.

Based in Westdene, it is a state-run facility managed by the Department of Human Settlements.

Last July, the paper reported on the village as having 20 vacant units which should be made available for vulnerable elders in need of cheap accommodation.

At the same time, then deputy director for communications at the Department of Human Settlements Thabile Mbhele said, “Empty units have been allocated with some waiting to be refurbished in the new financial year.”

In February, Patrick Phophi, executive director for the Department of Human Settlements said, “The department is still busy with the procurement of a service provider to undertake the works, improvement and upgrades, and is anticipating having them on-site as of mid-February 2023.”

Aubrey Crowder, a resident says, “I think there are 26 that are empty with some not being occupied for years. It is a terrible thing with so many desperate people.”

He continues to bemoan the lackadaisical maintenance done on the property with many who live there having to try and fix simple problems themselves.

Ward 69 councillor Genevieve Sherman was unavailable for comment at the time of going to print.

Questions sent to the department went unanswered for over two weeks despite multiple follow-ups. Spokespersons say the executive director had not responded to them.

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