City working on alternative housing for the displaced
In a statement released by Moses Metileni, the Executive Director for Housing, he discussed how he plans to provide housing for the homeless, not only on Plot 323 but other affected areas within Region C.
Following the chaotic protest by Plot 323 dwellers on 17 April, the City has since reassured the displaced that the matter is being handled with urgency.
In a statement released by Moses Metileni, the Executive Director for Housing, he discussed how he plans to provide housing for the homeless, not only on Plot 323 but also in other affected areas within Region C.
“The Department is awake to the urgency with which the matter of the provision of Temporary Emergency Accommodation for the communities of Ruimsig Plot, Ambot Plots and surrounding areas in Region C must be attended to,” he indicated.
Read more here: Angry plot dwellers barricade busy road
“It is against this backdrop that the Department has identified Holding 5 (currently zoned public open space) and Holding 6 (currently zoned agricultural) of Haylon A.H., which properties are owned by the City, for the purpose of resettlement.”
“The Department is in the process of appointing a consultant to undertake all the necessary studies, including obtaining approval from Council for the development of Temporary Emergency Accommodation. These studies will amount to the preparation of a Services Report for both Bulk and Internal Services; a layout plan; and proposed designs and cost estimates for temporary emergency accommodation,” Metileni explained
He elaborated on what the service report will indicate, listing “water demand and effluence discharge calculations; electricity demand; geotechnical investigations; flood line calculations; storm-water measures; basic assessment/ authorisation from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and statutory compliance.”
The temporary layout is to include, among other things, “internal temporary water reticulation (including connections), internal temporary sewer reticulation, internal temporary access roads and storm-water, and estimated costs for all internal services.”
“The layout is critical for obtaining the necessary town planning approvals,” he explained further.
He went on to say the service provider will also provide proposed design and cost estimates for temporary emergency accommodation structures, including the life cycle costs entailed.
“The intention is to appoint [the consultant] by 15 May 2018 at the latest, and to give tight timelines to the consultant. The Department will simultaneously prepare for [submitting] an application to the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements for funding for temporary emergency housing in the said properties,” he detailed.
Metileni concluded by saying that they will provide a comprehensive schedule as soon as the appointment is made.
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