Cape’s housing crisis research not used
THE WESTERN Cape Department of Human Settlements did not use the research they commissioned two years ago to look into improving the allocation and delivery of houses.
Research about the Western Cape Housing Demand Database was undertaken in 2015.
The department said that there is one housing demand database, previously known as the housing waiting list.
The research was supposed to help the provincial government to make better decisions regarding the delivery and allocation of houses.
According to this research, 28% of people in the Western Cape stay in wood and iron structures and 30% are living in room extensions of wood and iron.
Since 2001, the population in Cape Town has grown by 29% to approximately 4 million people, putting a strain on the city’s housing database.
Mayoral committee member for transport and urban development Brett Herron said the city would have to provide an additional 650 000 housing opportunities, estimated at R101 billion over the next 20 years to meet the need for housing.
He said it would be a “mammoth task” and it would require a radical shift in the city’s financing, planning strategies and delivery methods. “The Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Strategic Framework, which was adopted by council in March last year, is the new order of business.
“The TOD Strategic Framework is the city’s long-term development strategy. It prescribes how new developments across Cape Town should happen and how existing public infrastructure should be transformed to address the legacy of apartheid spatial planning, the high cost of public transport and urbanisation, while also stimulating economic growth.”
He added that the framework seeks to optimise the location of future residential areas to include all income groups.
“Going forward it means that the delivery of new housing opportunities will not happen in isolation, but in conjunction with access to work opportunities and access to public transport.”
Secretary of the Khayelitsha Human Settlements Forum Mava Nowala said they note the efforts by the city and government.
He said backyarders were another problem. “Backyarders are often sidelined and are still waiting for houses. They are still living in shacks and corruption in the way houses are handed over adds
to that. He said aside from backyarders, people living with disabilities are also often overlooked.
“People that are disabled, they are often forgotten in a lot of things.
“It’s just pure sadness, they are not thought of often and there are no structures to look after them. Nothing is being mentioned about them.”
Mayoral committee member for informal settlements, water and waste services and energy Raelene Arendse said services had been rolled out to backyarders on city-owned land since 2011.
“The city is currently conducting a survey of all backyard dwellers on city-owned rental unit properties to update data. Only then will the exact number be known.
“The city sympathises with the plight of our residents who are requesting housing opportunities.
“However, the housing need across the metro is severe and therefore, we must work according to those who are registered on the housing database, and in particular those who have been waiting for the longest time.
“One person’s need is not more important than another person’s need.”
Arendse said upgrading programmes are being rolled out in the metro and include upgrades to Enkanini in Khayelitsha, which has been allocated R10 million, Sweet Home Farm upgrades, which has been allocated R35m and Agste Laan in Valhalla Park, which has been allocated R33m.
The city has also allocated R233.4m to its Informal Settlement and Backyarder Department for the installation of sanitation facilities.