Patience is the name of the Rosedale housing game
Beneficiaries of the subsidised housing project in the Pacaltsdorp Rosedale area (Syferfontein project) that was completed more than a year ago, are having to exercise great patience while their approved homes are standing empty.
Two young couples who have applied for homes there complain about the long waiting times and uncertainty regarding their applications. Like many others, they have put their hope in the First Home Finance and Subsidy Assistance (Flisp) scheme to enable them to own a home of their own and escape the always increasing rental spiral.
One couple who were approved and allocated a home in the Syferfontein project, say they are puzzled as to why they are not allowed to move in while neighbouring properties are already occupied. "When a house stands empty, it deteriorates and the garden becomes overgrown with weeds. Months have gone by and we are left wondering if we will ever be able to move in. It has caused us to start to look at other options," say the couple who wish to remain anonymous.
They applied in December 2022. At the end of October last year, after being approved, they signed the necessary documents with the conveyancers, Nandi Bulabula Inc (NBB Inc).
Upon enquiry to NBB Inc, the couple were told that the occupation certificate for their home has yet to be issued, repairs to the house done, and the garden cleared before the keys will be handed over. They say, "We are willing to do the repairs and clear the property ourselves, if we could just move in. Every time we enquire at the conveyancer, we are told it will happen 'next month'. In the meantime, we have to live with family."
The second couple submitted an application with the conveyancer in August last year and have since been in the dark as to the progress of the application. Their rent is much higher that what their bond for a subsidised house would be and they are keen for a house of their own.
Jandré Bakker, spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure, upon enquiry said the houses have been standing empty while marketing and sales were underway and because of minor wear they now require small repairs and cleaning before they can be handed over.
"Because the units were completed and signed off, there is no active contractor on site anymore.
The units will be repaired through the maintenance framework of the department."
He said bids from contractors for the repairs closed on 11 March and the contractors are to move on site during April.
"The units will be systematically repaired for a period of 12 weeks and handed over immediately as they are completed." Bakker said the department would be making sure that the approved couple's unit is in "perfect" condition before it is handed over.
Their subsidy was approved on 14 December 2023 and a number of other time-consuming processes still had to be completed from that date.
Bakker said the Department of Infrastructure's Human Settlements branch has no record of receiving a subsidy application for the second couple.
According to Nosizwe Sokopo-Jaxa of NBB Inc, people who applied from June last year were too late for the current housing phase, and that would be the case with the second couple too. She said late applicants were given the option of handing in an application, but were informed that they would have to reapply once sales for a new phase open. "The development of another phase depends on Human Settlements."
The houses have been standing empty while marketing and sales were underway and because of minor wear they now require small repairs and cleaning.