Human Settlements
Whether there are any measures in place to ensure that the housing opportunities in the Western Cape – awarded according to the regularly updated waiting list – are allocated to the most deserving, prioritised beneficiaries; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
In September 2012, my department formally adopted a set of norms and standards for municipalities entitled “Western Cape Provincial Framework Policy for the Selection of Housing Beneficiaries from the updated Housing Demand Database.
The guidelines provide for applicants who have been on the waiting list for longer and those who are classified as having special needs (more deserving) to be assisted according to their date of application within the overall special needs categ
This may include:
- Middle aged and elderly persons;
- Persons with disabilities;
- Backyarders living in overcrowded conditions; and
- Farmworkers who are middle aged and elderly.
In addition, my department has developed policies/guidelines specifically addressing the housing needs of the following categories:
- The aged – through the Aged Based Prioritisation Policy;
- Military Veterans – Implementation of the Military Veterans Housing Initiative;
- Farm Worker/Dwellers- Municipal Guideline for responding to Farm residents Housing Needs in the Western Cape.
