Share this article

On 8 October 2019, the MMC for Housing, Cllr Meshack Van Wyk, joined the City of Johannesburg’s Housing department on one of its final public participation drives bringing the draft housing allocation policy, serviced sites policy, and the temporary emergency accommodation policy to our residents.
 
“I am happy to announce that residents came in their numbers to give input into these draft policies, which we expect to table in council within the coming months,” MMC Van Wyk said. 
 
The three policies seek to guide and provide clear processes in how the department proposes to allocate beneficiaries to RDP houses, how it proposes to implement the new directive of giving people serviced sites to build their own homes, and how to better deal with the very challenging aspect of providing temporary emergency accommodation to those in need.
 
Considering the housing backlog of 300 000 units in Johannesburg, better solutions, like that of our Inner City Rejuvenation Programme, were needed.
 
The ever growing housing need and increased demand for a permanent solution has resulted in a strong need to identify a diversified way to speed up delivery.
 
To this affect, the allocations policy proposes that City move from ward based allocations to a first come first served basis. For applicants, this will finally deliver housing to people who have been waiting for over 2 decades.  It also means residents can be allocated a house anywhere within the City and not based on where they currently reside.
 
The serviced sites policy proposes an entirely new offering to those who are able to build their own homes, but need serviced stands to do so.
 
The temporary emergency accommodation policy is aimed at those who find themselves homeless due to an emergency. It clarifies the City’s obligations to residents in this case.
 
Furthermore, the draft policies will ensure greater transparency during the allocation process, denying criminals the opportunity of queue jumping, fraud and corruption.

“There were heart-warming sentiments expressed that this was the first time that marginalised groups were being afforded an opportunity to engage on housing issues. Additional positive feedback received was that the community at large was impressed with the commitment and manner in which the current administration is engaging communities,” MMC said. 
 
“I believe these policies will drive Johannesburg toward a city that is capable of answering future housing needs, and not only playing catch-up to an inherited backlog.
 
“This is the Diphetogo the multi-party administration is bringing to our residents.”