Housing stands for the disabled

GWERU City Council is set to handover 22 stands to the Midlands Association for the Blind.

Gweru Town Clerk Mrs Elizabeth Gwatipedza said the stands, which are in Mkoba 21, will be allocated to all members of the association who will be expected to pay their monthly subscriptions.

“We have allocated 22 stands in Mkoba 21 to the Midlands Association of the Blind,” she said.

“This is in line with giving equal opportunities to the physically challenged.”

Mrs Gwatipedza said servicing of Mkoba 21 housing project was underway, with earthmoving machinery now on site and clearing land.

The new housing project has over 5 000 residential stands and is expected to reduce the city’s housing backlog.

Chairperson of the Midlands Association for the Blind Ms Belinda Msesengwa said the group came up with the initiative to approach council for stands after realising that many people living with disabilities were shunned by landlords and faced difficulties in securing accommodation.

“Our dream of owning homes will certainly come true,” she said. “It is not easy being a lodger when you are physically challenged. We face a lot of discrimination and others end up living on the streets.”

Ms Msesengwa expressed gratitude towards the city council for giving them an opportunity to a better life.

“Council has empowered us at an opportune time,” she said.

“What is most captivating is that the majority of the beneficiaries are vegetable vendors who are able to pay monthly subscriptions.”