The Gauteng Provincial Government said it would intensify its
housing programme to ensure that Gauteng residents, particularly
those living in ‘slums’ or are homeless, receive access
to decent housing.
This follows Premier Mbhazima Shilowa’s remarks at the opening of the Gauteng Legislature this week that the provision of decent housing to all South Africans continues to receive the provincial government’s urgent attention.
Shilowa announced that the construction of Cosmo City, an integrated development project north of Randburg, has been fully approved and would start ‘soon’.
The project, announced two years ago, was initially delayed due to the long time it took to complete the township planning and environmental assessment study, as well as due to opposition from ‘wealthy’ neighbouring communities.
Yesterday Gauteng Housing MEC Paul Mashatile told a media briefing that the provincial government was determined to change housing patterns away from ‘apartheid human settlements’, that isolated the majority of people from centres of economic activity and access to services.
He said that government’s aim is to eradicate informal settlements in the province within the next ten years, but conceded that it would be challenging task. This is further compounded by the fact that some 24 000 households arrive in Gauteng every year and the provincial government is responsible for providing housing.
Once completed, Cosmo City will comprise of 15 000 housing units, with various tenure options, including low cost, medium density and bonded houses.
Mashatile said the first phase of development would also include social infrastructure, such as schools, shops and clinics.
A key feature of the development would be the incorporation of the principles of sustainable development in the provision of low cost housing, which means that houses would be designed to be energy efficient and incorporate a best practice waste management system.
Energy efficiency would be achieved through the introduction of structural changes, contributing to decreased coal-use for heating and cooking, thus creating a healthier living environment.
It is estimated that the Cosmo City project will bring infrastructure investment of more than R1-billion to the area, creating jobs and stimulating economic activity for residents of Zevenfontein, Zandspruit, Honeydew and the Kaya Sands informal settlements.
Mashatile said another integrated development project is currently under construction in Lotus Gardens, west of Pretoria.
This development project is aimed at a mixed income market and will include various tenure options, including ‘RDP’ houses and credit-linked housing.
This is said to be the first housing project where beneficiaries will contribute to low cost housing built by the State. Lotus Gardens will provide 5 000 housing units to people living in the backyards of Atteridgeville and surround informal settlements.
Social housing has become of the province’s major housing delivery thrusts and Mashatile said government’s objective is to provide a minimum of 40 000 housing units over the next four years.
He said that active participation of the private sector would help to ensure the success of the initiative and the Gauteng Partnership Fund, established to leverage private finance through a public-private partnership, will unlock private capital and enable the delivery of a greater number of quality social housing units.
The fund and Rand Merchant Bank have signed an agreement to fund 10 000 social housing units over the next three years, with an investment of more than R500-million.
The provincial government has also concluded another agreement, with the National Urban Reconstruction and Agency, securing an investment of R1-billion for social housing over the next four years.
The partnership will also provide funding for the Brickfields projects, which will accommodate more than 2 000 households.
Furthermore, Guateng’s urban renewal projects in Alexandra and Kliptown are also on target.
Mashatile added that a R40-million hostel regeneration programme in City Deep is also under way. This is a process to convert existing accommodation into single and family dwelling units.
The project aims to address issues of unhygienic conditions, environmental problems and crime. Upgrading is scheduled to start on April 1.
This follows Premier Mbhazima Shilowa’s remarks at the opening of the Gauteng Legislature this week that the provision of decent housing to all South Africans continues to receive the provincial government’s urgent attention.
Shilowa announced that the construction of Cosmo City, an integrated development project north of Randburg, has been fully approved and would start ‘soon’.
The project, announced two years ago, was initially delayed due to the long time it took to complete the township planning and environmental assessment study, as well as due to opposition from ‘wealthy’ neighbouring communities.
Yesterday Gauteng Housing MEC Paul Mashatile told a media briefing that the provincial government was determined to change housing patterns away from ‘apartheid human settlements’, that isolated the majority of people from centres of economic activity and access to services.
He said that government’s aim is to eradicate informal settlements in the province within the next ten years, but conceded that it would be challenging task. This is further compounded by the fact that some 24 000 households arrive in Gauteng every year and the provincial government is responsible for providing housing.
Once completed, Cosmo City will comprise of 15 000 housing units, with various tenure options, including low cost, medium density and bonded houses.
Mashatile said the first phase of development would also include social infrastructure, such as schools, shops and clinics.
A key feature of the development would be the incorporation of the principles of sustainable development in the provision of low cost housing, which means that houses would be designed to be energy efficient and incorporate a best practice waste management system.
Energy efficiency would be achieved through the introduction of structural changes, contributing to decreased coal-use for heating and cooking, thus creating a healthier living environment.
It is estimated that the Cosmo City project will bring infrastructure investment of more than R1-billion to the area, creating jobs and stimulating economic activity for residents of Zevenfontein, Zandspruit, Honeydew and the Kaya Sands informal settlements.
Mashatile said another integrated development project is currently under construction in Lotus Gardens, west of Pretoria.
This development project is aimed at a mixed income market and will include various tenure options, including ‘RDP’ houses and credit-linked housing.
This is said to be the first housing project where beneficiaries will contribute to low cost housing built by the State. Lotus Gardens will provide 5 000 housing units to people living in the backyards of Atteridgeville and surround informal settlements.
Social housing has become of the province’s major housing delivery thrusts and Mashatile said government’s objective is to provide a minimum of 40 000 housing units over the next four years.
He said that active participation of the private sector would help to ensure the success of the initiative and the Gauteng Partnership Fund, established to leverage private finance through a public-private partnership, will unlock private capital and enable the delivery of a greater number of quality social housing units.
The fund and Rand Merchant Bank have signed an agreement to fund 10 000 social housing units over the next three years, with an investment of more than R500-million.
The provincial government has also concluded another agreement, with the National Urban Reconstruction and Agency, securing an investment of R1-billion for social housing over the next four years.
The partnership will also provide funding for the Brickfields projects, which will accommodate more than 2 000 households.
Furthermore, Guateng’s urban renewal projects in Alexandra and Kliptown are also on target.
Mashatile added that a R40-million hostel regeneration programme in City Deep is also under way. This is a process to convert existing accommodation into single and family dwelling units.
The project aims to address issues of unhygienic conditions, environmental problems and crime. Upgrading is scheduled to start on April 1.
Advertisement
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
