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"Due to rapid urbanization and migration from rural areas, housing poses a great challenge and the ACDP recognizes the 2.6 million subsidized houses that have been provided as a commendable achievement. Government's initial drive to build a million houses in only five years has tragically resulted in sub-standard workmanship and poor planning.

Waiting lists for people to be housed are also a major concern yet the ACDP can see no specific allocation for IT (Information Technology) in this budget in order to review and establish a comprehensive and transparent data-base of persons...a fundamental requirement. About one million families are estimated to be living in shacks in Cape Town alone and the backlog is growing at about 200,000 households a year. Without comprehensive data, those who have waited many years are at risk of being overlooked.

The ACDP has championed rural development to redress the problems of migration to the cities, so we are interested in the recapitalisation of the Rural Housing Loan Fund of 50million rand in 2010-11 & 12. Communication with prospective residents will be vital for settlement success; from the Joe Slovo challenges of the Western Cape to agri-villages for farm workers. Farm workers, faced with the village option have at times resisted despite the seemingly obvious benefits. Only through interaction, can planners (most of whom are from an urban background,) hope to accommodate the actual needs and concerns of rural people. Hon Minister, has provision been made to facilitate meaningful dialogue with affected communities during the planning processes?

We applaud the work taking place to improve living standards & conditions for impoverished sub-urban & rural communities. Hon Minister has an allocation been made for the upgrading and restoration of inner city buildings as well?

I'm thinking here of examples like the old warehouse which was turned into makeshift housing, on Saratoga Avenue, near the Ellis Park precinct, a key 2010 focus area. Has that been provided for? Many buildings like San Jose where residents are among Johannesburg's poorest are home to hundreds of families. Like their suburban counterparts, they are faced with erratic garbage collection, no electricity & no water or sewage disposal which can lead to health & safety hazards.

The ACDP hopes that the concept of Human Settlements will facilitate better responses to these problems. We will support this Budget vote".