52 Blue Downs residents receive title deeds to their homes | Western Cape Government

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52 Blue Downs residents receive title deeds to their homes

16 July 2019

Today, Western Cape Human Settlements Minister, Tertuis Simmers, handed over 52 title deeds to residents of Blue Downs.

The title deed handover has been made possible through the Department’s Enhanced Extended Discounted Benefit Scheme (EEDBS), which promotes home ownership of pre-1994 government-owned rental housing. The particular handover today also forms part of the Department’s strategic goal to prioritise the elderly for housing opportunities in the Western Cape. 

 “Today I shared tears of joy with the 52 recipients of these title deeds. The event allowed us to ensure that 52 people become fully-fledged, legal homeowners. Today’s hand over is yet another clear demonstration of the Western Cape Government’s commitment to restoring dignity and creating a better life for the people of this province. We are also ensuring that our residents have a sense of security and pride in having full ownership of their properties. I was honoured to share in the joy of a momentous occasion in the lives of these beneficiaries” said Minister Simmers.

The 52 beneficiaries hail from Electric City, Malibu Village, Tuscany Glen, the Conifers, Hillcrest Heights and Eerste River. Residents were able to benefit through the EEDBS programme, as the sale agreements with debtors, who did not honour their agreements, were cancelled. Properties were thus sold to the qualifying current occupants and, where this was not possible, debt write-off was implemented to assist beneficiaries. 

“I feel very happy and I would like to thank the Minister for giving me my Title Deed. I will never forget this day, as this is truly a special day and this property is for me and my family.” commented an emotional 82-year-old Magdalene Newman.

“We’re currently working on phase 2 of the Blue Downs Title Deed project, which means that more people will, in the not so distant future, become fully-fledged home owners. As the Western Cape Government, we will continue striving towards establishing an enabling environment, so that we are better placed to grant beneficiaries security of tenure and make more residents legal homeowners by handing over these title deeds” added Simmers.

Media Enquiries: 

Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
Tel: 021 483 3397
Cell: 082 721 3362
Email: Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za