Arbor Park residents furious with housing project
When residents approached the contractor, they were allegedly told a pig farm was being established.
Irate residents of Arbor Park expressed their anger after they were made aware of the latest development in the area.
The project – also known as the Communal Residential Units (CRUs) – was approved by the MEC of the Department of Human Settlements, Peggy Nkonyeni and will see 540 units built at a cost of R210-million along the N11, which borders Arbor Park off Silwerboom Street (Ward 34). The project is expected to be completed within the next three years.
Enraged residents were allegedly unaware of the development and called numerous public and ward committee meetings with Ward 34 councillor, MP Mkhwanazi and officials from the municipality in response.
When residents approached the contractor working on site to inquire what the land was being prepared for, they were allegedly told [they] were establishing a pig farm.
“We are not taken seriously; we want development but all due processes must be followed,” said a resident.
The community then demanded to be addressed by a representative from the Provincial Department of Human Settlements (DHS) to set the record straight, after being ‘mislead’ by officials.
On October 14, Luzuko Tapula from DHS addressed residents and emphasised his role was to implement policy driven nationally. He believes the community was misinformed by the municipality.
At the meeting, Bhekinkosi Ndlovu (Acting Director of Human Settlements at the municipality), Sandile Mkhize (also from the department) and a representative of the implementing agent, Moteko Quantity Surveyors Project and Programme Managers were present.
“The N11 project has been in the pipeline for quiet sometime. Rental housing is a national policy that we drive provincially in conjunction with local municipalities and implementing agents across the province. What you are seeing here is happening in Kokstad, Ethekwini and Ixopo,” stated Tapula.
He said the aim of the rental housing scheme was to provide an affordable rental option on well located land, where people could occupy or rent and be closer to work opportunities.
Tapula explained the difference between the four schemes which exist, namely:
– Rural Development Programme (RDP) is free housing given to indigent people.
– Rental housing (CRUs), for people who fall with the income group R800 to R3 500.
– Social housing or Middle Income Rental Housing Scheme for those earning between R3 501 and R15 000.
– Gap Market Housing or Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) for those who earn between R3 501 to R 22 000.
This income group earn too high to qualify for an RDP house, but earnd to low for a bank mortgage bond. This option is for ownership and not rental.
“Social housing/CRU is meant for you to rent and graduate not to rent for life. When your circumstances become better you graduate for ownership. It is an interim, as you improve, you qualify for other housing schemes tailor-made to your income.”
For the full story pick up a copy of the latest edition of the Newcastle Advertiser.
Also look out for part two of the story, where residents’ burning questions are addressed.
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