’These units will be rented out to the beneficiaries and they will over the coming years have the option to purchase the units.’
JUBILATION filled the air at the Lerato Park Integrated Housing Development Project on Monday as 150 beneficiaries were handed the keys to their brand new units.
The Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, who was joined by Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul, MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) Bentley Vass, MEC for Health Maruping Lekwene and Sol Plaatje executive mayor Patrick Mabilo, officially handed over the units to the beneficiaries.
The R370-million project will deliver a total of 458 community residential units (CRUs) to beneficiaries who do not qualify for a home loan and are also not eligible for an RDP home.
Kubayi said the project will allow middle-income people to be able to afford their own homes.
“These units will be rented out to the beneficiaries and they will over the coming years have the option to purchase the units. This is for community members whose income is not enough to qualify for a bond but their income also disqualifies them from being beneficiaries of RDP homes. We have to make provision and give accommodation to those persons in this category too,” said Kubayi.
She said the beneficiaries were selected from the department’s housing subsidy scheme.
“The beneficiaries had to apply through the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) and they were selected from that list. The FLISP is designed for those individuals who earn between R3,500 and R22,000 and wish to own their own homes.
“The department has identified a market for low-cost rental in especially urban and rural areas. These units will be rented at a cost of R1,800 for a bachelor unit and R3,500 for a two-bedroom unit. That will ensure that residents are provided with proper, dignified housing which is not too costly.”
Vass meanwhile dismissed claims that the handover was part of the governing party’s electioneering campaign.
“This handover is not about the elections. There are various processes and phases in construction. We also experienced some delays when Covid-19 struck as there were many restrictions imposed with regards to travelling and even work conditions. Our aim remains to provide proper housing to our people,” said Vass.
He urged the beneficiaries to maintain their properties.
“We urge community members to look after these properties. They need to maintain the state of these buildings.”
One of the beneficiaries, Sanna Mangope, could not contain her joy as she entered her new home.
Mangope said she has been living in the informal settlement for many years and always wanted to own a home of her own.
“I am very elated that Coghsta gave me the opportunity to own a proper place to stay – for me and my three children. It has been very frustrating not having a proper home and being dependent on someone else, as well as paying rent to someone. I have new hope now as I carry the keys to my own home, which is equipped with proper sanitation and water. My children and I will sleep warm from now on,” Mangope smiled.
