More housing projects to be unblocked

The North West Department of Human Settlements will after completing an audit of all blocked projects across the province, complete 247 as a plan to eradicate the challenge in the province for this financial year.

The MEC for Human Settlements, Lenah Miga, made the announcement when tabling her department’s budget speech vote at the provincial legislature recently. MEC Miga informed the legislature that after traveling throughout the province she was greeted by incomplete structures dating back many years and some of these structures are repairable while others need complete demolition and rebuilding.

“This backlog is influenced by different aspects which includes: Non-performance by contractors; a hike in the costs of materials; and the non-increasing of the housing quantum. For that my department has prioritised unblocking of blocked project and make sure that those legible receive what is due to them”, said Miga.

She further said that the National Department has after the careful consideration, managed to increase the quantum by 20.9 percent from R116 867 to R141 200 and the applicable subsidy commenced as of 01st April 2022. According to the MEC this shows that the department remain consistent and more determined to continue and improve service delivery in the province.

The MEC further outline the department’s commitment to eradicate the ever increasing number of informal settlements especially around the mining towns in the province. She said that her department will fast track the process of upgrading informal settlements across the province to ensure provision of housing.

The MEC however said that, it is not all settlements that will be upgraded. Others are planned to be upgraded within the Medium Term Expenditure Framework through the Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant.

Source: Government of South Africa