MINISTER ON HOUSING MATTERS AMENDMENT BILL

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)

STATEMENT BY HOUSING MINISTER SANKIE MTHEMBI-MAHANYELE ON THE HOUSING MATTERS AMENDMENT BILL, 1999

20 January 1999

INTRODUCTION

The Bill is an amendment of the Housing Act no. 107 of 1997. The previous dispensation's housing subsidies according to the provisions of the Act, were supposed to be phased out a year after its implementation. However, as a result of unforseen circumstances, this task could not be executed. The amendment seeks to provide for the phasing out mechanism to be built in and be completed with in a year of the commencement of the Act.

The Act also needs to be amended to regulate the transfer of immovable property to a Provincial Housing Development Board for purposes of performing certain key functions which require a degree of expertise int he field. This is to solve the problem related to the size of the board which is quite small and therefore cannot be charged with other duties than may arise from time to time.

It also provides for the statutory recognition of the Social Housing Foundation which will help provide the mechanism for the establishment of social housing institutions in the country.

AIMS

It seeks to:

• make provision for the appointment of committees and co-opt persons to the South African Housing Development Board
• recognise the Social Housing Foundation as a national institution
• amend the time frame with regards to the phasing out of the housing subsidies granted in terms of former housing laws;
• regulate the transfer of immovable property to a Provincial Housing Development Board (PHDB)

"All these amendments are aimed at oiling the housing delivery mechanisms and ensuring that tasks which are aligned with the execution of duties and responsibilities will lead to the speedy delivery of houses for the poor and homeless," said the housing Minister, Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele.

For more information please contact: Gege Kekana Phone: (012) 44-1879/4211311 Cell: 083-457-6577