Cape Town - The first recipients of the Macassar housing project are witnessing the R132-million housing project take a back seat after they were told that they would be moving into their state-subsidised houses in April.
With no explanation to the community about another delay, it was revealed to residents that the building work would not commence until next year, leaving many who hoped to move into their new home with shattered dreams.
Nicolene Williams, one of the recipients, said that when they were first approached last year, they were told that the first phase of the construction should be done by September and the first 605 qualifying beneficiaries should be able to move in right after that. However, none of that has happened.
“We are a family of six, and I’ve been on the waiting list since 2004. Currently, we are renting out a place right across from the site where they are going to build the house. So I can see exactly what is happening on the site, and it is nothing.
“We were told at first that the first 605 qualifying beneficiaries would be able to move in right after the first phase, which was last year in September, then it later became this year in April, and now it's a next-year story.
“Each day we pray that maybe they might start building on this day and that day, but nothing happens. With water bills on the rise and landlords throwing all sorts of accusations our way, renting is hard. We see how each and every day, people come and clean out that area, yet no brick to fast-track the project is being laid,” said Williams.
At the special council meeting last month, councillor Judy Ann Stevens raised concerns about the housing backlog for the people of Macassar, stating that the last successful housing project was 17 years ago, and unfortunately, many people continue to be backyard dwellers.
“The current BNG project was approved a few years back, but every year there is a roll-over. Residents got all excited last year when the City started the verifying and application for subsidy process. Building work was supposed to start in September and the first recipients were supposed to move in this year, as communicated to them, but now the latest news is that building work will only start in 2023, with no explanation to the community why there is another delay.
“For this to move forward, I feel that transparency with regards to the housing project is needed. I did meet with the new ward councillor to discuss some of these issues and to offer my assistance. As much as we are in opposition, we have a common goal and that is to make sure our people get the services they deserve and need. Our communities ask so little of us as public representatives, and the least that we can do is to work together to achieve that common goal," said Stevens.
Mayoral committee member for human settlements Malusi Booi said that the start of construction date had to be moved to March next year due to unforeseen delays and the complexity of the project work.
“The City has projects in many communities across the metro in need of housing assistance, and the need for affordable housing is acute. The municipality alone cannot meet the demand and a greater partnership approach between government and the private sector is required as the current model of state-subsidy housing is not feasible and cannot address the demand.
“Between the 2021/22 and 2023/24 financial years, the allocated capital budget for the City of Cape Town’s human settlements projects is approximately R3.3 billion in total. Of this, almost R2bn is foreseen to be spent on formal subsidy housing, while approximately R1.3bn is earmarked for informal housing and new accommodation types to address growing informality.
“Social housing, as part of the suite of affordable and subsidy opportunities, and as a means to alter apartheid spatial planning, cannot be viewed in isolation. There is much work under way and a clear understanding of the road ahead and what is required. We need constructive, bona fide, and greater partnerships to tackle the challenges of housing and spatial inclusion,” said Booi.
Macassar ward councillor Peter Helfrich assured that while the start of the construction date may have been moved, homes will still be built.
“I am in the process of arranging a much bigger community meeting this month to provide residents with accurate information and, very importantly, to inform them that the housing project has not been stopped and the home will still be built,” said Helfrich.
Weekend Argus