07/07/2017: MEC Mashatile commits a further R147 million to Joburg’s Housing Budget
This morning I held a constructive meeting with the Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Paul Mashatile, where we discussed the serious housing challenge the City of Johannesburg is facing and ways in which we can work together to address it.
The City of Johannesburg is faced with a housing backlog of over 300 000 units – the largest in the country - and if we are to progressively address this challenge, it is vital that national, provincial and local government all work together to find lasting solutions in the best interests of all our residents.
It is important to understand that housing remains a national and provincial competency in terms of the Constitution, and the City of Johannesburg is reliant on grants from the Provincial Government in order to build houses for our people.
In the last financial year, the City was provided with a R411 million Housing Top Structures Grant, however Provincial Government reduced this grant to R345 million in the 2016/17 adjustment budget.
In the 2017/18 financial year, Provincial Government opted to further reduce this vital grant to R145 million. With this allocation, the City can only afford to build just over 1000 RDP housing units.
After highlighting this serious concern to the MEC, I am delighted to inform our residents that the MEC has committed an additional R147 million to the City’s housing budget, which will increase the grant to R292 million.
This additional budget is dependent on the City utilising its current budget allocation. Should we do so, we will be allocated the additional funding through the adjustment budget in February 2018.
Our focus now turns to the revision of our housing plan to make necessary provision for an additional R147 million. I have tasked this important responsibility to the newly appointed Executive Director for Housing, Moses Metileni.
Metileni brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position, holding three masters degrees and currently working towards his Phd. He has ten years’ experience practicing as an urban and regional planner for the City and Gauteng Provincial Government.
I am delighted to have someone of Metileni’s calibre heading up our Housing Department and I am confident that he will be integral in moving this City forward as we find new and innovative ways to deal with our enormous housing backlog.
I would also like to also take this opportunity to thank the MEC for his commitment to work together in finding solutions to our housing challenges. At all times, it is the best interests of our residents that must come first.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
For further information, please contact:
Tony Taverna-Turisan
Director of Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
Tel: 011 407 7375
Cellular: 082 920 9708
Email: tonyt@joburg.org.za
