Human Settlements
With regard to his Department’s rental stock:
(1) (a) What is the motivation for the external upgrades to the rental stock (i) on Philip Kgosana Drive (de Waal Drive) and (ii) in Gardens, (b) what is the breakdown of the expenditure on external upgrades to the rental stock (i) on Philip Kgosana Drive (de Waal Drive) and (ii) in Gardens and (c) when were the upgrades completed;
(2) whether there are any external upgrades that have been done in other areas or at complexes besides at the rental stock on Philip Kgosana Drive (de Waal Drive) and in Gardens; if not, (a) why is his Department not attending to the external upgrades at other complexes and (b) what are the plans to upgrade other parts of the Department’s rental stock; if so, what are the relevant details?
13.(1)(a) As property owner and for implementation of effective property management, my department has an obligation of performing day-to-day and regular routine maintenance upgrading. This ensures that tenants reside in habitable living conditions.
In terms of the Rental Turnaround Strategy, one of the objectives are to identify best future use for Department owned rental stock. Where identified, it is envisaged that it will be densified where possible and released to the most sustainable property management model.
13.(1)(b)(i) De Waal Drive expenditure: R7.8 million
13.(1)(b)(ii) Gardens expenditure: R 950 000.00
13.(1)(c) The De Waal Drive and Gardens upgrades were completed in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
13.(2)(a) A decision on the external upgrades of rental stock, is pending on the outcomes of “Best Future Use” in terms of the Provincial Rental Housing Turnaround Strategy.
13.(2)(b) My department has developed a new Maintenance Plan for implementation with validity for a 5-year term. Due to my Department’s intent to transfer rental stock within the new financial year, the Gatesville rental stock has been prioritised for internal and external upgrades that is currently being addressed by the appointed project team.
