District Muni on board to fast-track housing projects
GEORGE - There is good news for those in dire need of their own home, but earning “too much” to be eligible for a fully subsidised RDP house.
In a historic moment last week Friday, the Western Cape Government and the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) which will accelerate Gap housing projects of the Provincial Department of Human Settlements. The event took place at the GRDM council chambers.
Housing is not traditionally a mandate of a district municipality, but with this new MoA, collaboration will take place on selected human settlements initiatives.
“This is to assist the local B-municipalities who are under a lot of pressure,” said GRDM Mayor Memory Booysen. He said at any IDP (Integrated Development Plan) meeting, housing issues always top the list. Booysen said the GRDM owns pockets of land in each municipal area which will be utilised to fast-track certain projects.
Huge demand for Gap housing
The need for Gap housing (also called Flisp – Finance-linked Individual Subsidy Programme) in the Garden Route District is a big challenge. “The current housing demand database shows that there are 63 879 applicants for this district,” said Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements Tertuis Simmers in his keynote address during a press conference.
He said there is a need for affordable housing opportunities. “George, Knysna and Bitou are the biggest contributors to the backlog.
The GRDM will not be an extension for the Department of Human Settlements, but will provide assistance to accelerate opportunities for those within the Gap/Flisp market.”
In addition, those who might qualify for Flisp, but due to a poor credit record are unable to obtain a bond, could also be assisted through the department’s Credit Readiness Programme (CRP).
“This is a joint district and metro approach,” said Simmers. “It is a first for the Western Cape.” The MoA expires on 31 March 2023.
As part of the MoA, the Department of Human Settlements has assisted the GRDM with the necessary human resources, so that the relevant skills and experience for housing delivery are available within the municipality. Read a statement from Simmers’ office at www.georgeherald.com.