Housing policies deadline

The public has an additional month to comment on the proposed changes to the City of Cape Town’s housing opportunities allocation policy.

“The proposed changes aim to expedite certain decision-making processes and further enhance allocation fairness.

“The comment period, which opens on 22 June 2020, will close on 21 July 2020,” the City said.

The proposed changes related to the selection of qualifying beneficiaries and the allocation of various types of state-subsidised housing opportunities.

These included breaking new ground (BNG) houses, council rental housing, and the upgrading of informal settlements programme (UISP).

“We have to ensure that we look at the housing market and that our policies reflect the conditions on the ground,” Mayco member for human settlements Malusi Booi said.

“For instance, we are proposing that the income bracket when applying for council rental housing is increased from R10,000 to R15,000 per month as a response to the need for affordable housing in Cape Town. This is also to align with the national affordable rental housing programme.

“We have also proposed that anti-social behaviour, including gangsterism and drug dealing, are taken into account when someone applies for a transfer of tenancy within council rental housing. This is an effort to make council housing safer.”

Visit www.capetown.gov.za/Haveyoursay for information about the policy and public participation process.

The City’s public participation unit will assist people who cannot read or write, people with disabilities, and people from disadvantaged groups unable to submit written comments.

You can contact Zandile Mahlasela on 021-400-5501

for assistance.

African News Agency