NEWCASTLE – Little compares to the pride one feels when acquiring a house for the first time.
However, for residents living in the old railway homes in Paterson Street, this is not the case.
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What little joy they experienced, is overshadowed by poor living conditions.
“We all received messages from the municipality in February, saying the houses were put in our names, but we have not received the title deeds, nor has municipality addressed any of the complaints we made before the houses were handed over to us,” said Vikash Singh.
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Mr Singh is but one of the residents who is fuming about the condition of his house.
“My house’s roof is rotten, the tiles have been cracking for years and nothing was done to repair this. Those of us living here, cannot afford to fix this,” he complained.
Mr Singh is also upset because the municipality removed skirting boards in his house and failed to replace it.
“The house was painted in January by the municipality. They removed the skirting boards, promising they would replace it, but nothing has been done yet.”
Llewella Sanders, Mr Singh’s neighbour, said her house was also in a deplorable state.
“I have broken windows. The tiles are cracked and there is a pipe which has been leaking since November. I have reported all of this, but nothing is being done.”
Other neighbours agreed something had to be done.
As the problems pertaining to their homes had been pointed out before the houses were handed to them, the residents believed the municipality should assist them.
The municipality was contacted for comment, but none was forthcoming at the time of going to print.
