Dyesselsdorp beneficiaries living with disabilities receive keys to new homes

On Thursday, 13 July, the Dysselsdorp community came out in their numbers to celebrate as five beneficiaries living with disabilities received their new houses.
 
The winter chill could barely deter the joyous spirits of the community. This handover can be attributed to the Western Cape Government's (WCG) value of creating and support the dignity of our residents. This includes the prioritisation of people living with disabilities in the selection of qualifying beneficiaries for Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses. 
 
The houses are designed and fitted with special features for every individual per their physical disability. The features include but are not limited to rails inside the bathroom to assist with mobility and a wheelchair ramp externally.
 
An excited wheelchair-bound Sophia Lukas (69), said: “It has been a long and difficult journey, having lived in various places and none of which catered to my needs. Today, I am over the moon and grateful to our government for making this dream come through.”
 
The Dysselsdorp Housing project has so far provided homes for 425 households and is nearing the end of the current phase, which will create 522 houses. 
 
Speaking ahead of the handover, provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, said: “In 2019 the WCG formalised the prioritization of the most vulnerable citizens for housing opportunities. People living with disabilities were included in that group. It is, therefore, with great pride that we hand over these houses as envisioned. The hope of the beneficiaries and the Dysselsdorp community has been restored”.
 
Minister Simmers will today accompany the Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde and visit Infrastructure project sites in George.