Minister Tertuis Simmers engages a packed hall during public meeting in George

Yesterday, Western Cape Human Settlements Minister Tertuis Simmers addressed a public meeting in Conville, George, to discuss the Metro Grounds Housing Project.

Engaging a packed hall, with community members from Lawaaikamp, Parkdene, Protea Park, Rosemoore, Borchards, Maraiskamp and Conville, Minister Simmers said: “I commend the community for giving me the opportunity to once again reaffirm my commitment, as I did during the sod turning ceremony in July 2019, to full transparency as it pertains to this project.

I will continue to keep an eagle eye on this development, as we have to ensure that the most deserving and those who qualify is given an opportunity. I also thank community members for allowing frank and open discussions, which presented an opportunity to clarify the criteria that’s being used in the allocation of housing opportunities.

As a reminder the criteria consists of:

1. The elderly
2. People with disabilities
3. Child-headed households
4. Those longest (15 years and longer) on the waiting list.
5. 5. Backyard dwellers (only for new/Greenfield projects)

The project, which has a budget allocation of approximately R120 million, will culminate in approximately 650 housing opportunities. Of these, 280 opportunities are for persons residing in informal settlements, 175 opportunities for persons residing in backyards, 5% of the remaining 175 opportunities for persons with disabilities, 7,5% for farmworkers, 15% for 60 years and older and the balance to those longest on the waiting list.

It is estimated that the entire project will conclude by the end of 2022.

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.”