Human Settlements

(1)    Yes, in this regard my department resolved to dedicate its energies in embarking on initiatives which will ultimately enable the department to unlock the full potential of the Affordable Housing Market.  This will include activities such as promoting deferred ownership and De-linking of FLISP.  Further to that my department is to accelerate the provision of enhanced serviced sites to qualified beneficiaries.  My department will also embark on a rigorous upgrading of Informal Settlements with an aim of ensuring that people live in dignity.  My department is currently prioritising the elderly, people living with disabilities, backyarders and those who have been on the waiting list for 15 years and longer.  In addition, the Military Veterans will be prioritised in line with the National directive.  

(2)(a)    My department does not maintain records of farm workers who have been evicted, as this falls within the ambit of the Department of Agriculture.  The fundamental step in realising the housing demand goals for farm residents is the integration of farm residents housing needs into the Housing Demand Database and the beneficiary selection processes.
This is especially important as it is acknowledged that farm residents may not have been      incorporated in the Housing Demand Databases of municipalities historically. Municipalities are encouraged to actively respond by registering these households and adequately recording their addresses as being on farms.
        In terms of my Department’s Beneficiary Selection Policy, municipalities are required to make 5 -10% of their opportunities in each project to farm workers who are 55 years and older.  As a result of this requirement, many farm workers have already been accommodated.

 It should be noted that the onus is on the farm workers to register applications with the municipality to be considered for accommodation.

  (b)    With regards to areas of allocation, this is guided by the area which the municipality 
           prioritize for development which is normally guided by the Spatial Development  
           Framework.

     Find below the number of individuals on the Western Cape Housing Demand Database 
     who indicated that they are farm workers as obtained by the municipalities: -