Western Cape Human Settlements mid-term review

SUMMARY

• More than 29 000 housing opportunities delivered
• More than 15 000 title deeds handed over
• Job and empowerment opportunities created
• FLISP policy review
• Technology adopted

Since taking office in 2019, to date, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements (WCDoHS) has afforded 29 083 residents of the Province the opportunity to live in an improved, safer and dignified manner. They’ve taken occupancy of homes in various areas across the province where we’ve either concluded projects or where these developments are ongoing.

In non-Metro areas, amongst others, these include Knysna, George, Oudtshoorn, the Greater Hermanus, Caledon, Bredasdorp, Swellendam, Grabouw, Beaufort West, Velddrif, Paternoster, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Ceres. In the Cape Metro, residents were moved into their new homes in Forest Village, Belhar, Blue Downs and Highbury.

In addition to this, 15 144 residents have also for the first time in their lives become fully-fledged and legal homeowners. Security of tenure has occurred in areas such as Saron, Villiersdorp, Slangrivier, George, Swellendam, Caledon, Paarl, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Delft, Blue Downs and Crossroads, to name a few.

The lives of these residents and their families have changed significantly. In a province where more than 70% of the population is in a form of employment, the creation of affordable housing opportunities is critical, as those within this market would in all likelihood have a household income of above R 3 500 and therefore not qualify for a fully-state subside house.

From a policy perspective, we’ve embarked on reviewing our Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP), so that those who cannot access a mortgage loan from a financial institution are also able to access FLISP without having to do so. At this stage, FLISP can only be accessed if an applicant has secured a mortgage loan from a bank or any other financial institution. We’re seeking to delink FLISP, as this will assist more of our residents in the province. We’re in the process of engaging our national counterparts and will continue to exert pressure on them so that it can be finalised.

At the forefront of the department’s business plan is the empowerment of the previously marginalised population groups, particularly women and youth. Over the past two financial years, more than R 2.6 billion of the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) has been spent on contractors in the targeted groups. Not only have we trained and empowered 212 young people, but we’ve facilitated job opportunities for 1 993 people.

We’ve also embraced technology to ensure our residents have greater access to our services and are able to engage with us on a more frequent basis. The WCG App was launched in 2019 and ensures that our citizens can easily access information on government housing assistance, register for the first time or update their details on the Housing Demand Database (HDD). It is available on both iOS and Android platforms.

Furthermore, the Western Cape Rental Housing Tribunal (WCRHT) has also adopted the use of technology. Virtual hearings are now being conducted. Those seeking to lodge complaints can now also use the WCRHT web and mobile app solution, which forms part of the WCG e-Service Portal. Citizens can also track a complaint online.

The first half of this term has not been without challenges. These include the reduction in our budget by over R 200 million, as well as what can now be described as an endemic, given how Covid-19 interrupted many of our lives and also brought projects to a halt during 2020. In the face of these and other challenges, we pressed on to create and deliver various opportunities within the human settlements space, to ensure our people are optimally assisted.

As we move forward, the Western Cape Government, remains committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, to implement innovative solutions, ensure an integrated approach to human settlements, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.