30 May 2008

THIRTEEN more hostels in Gauteng have been earmarked for refurbishment or to be demolished to make way for transformed and redeveloped family units.

The hostels, which have long been a beacon of poverty and awful living conditions, will be transformed from single gender dormitories to units which residents will be able to rent or own. There will be a choice of self-contained single, communal or family units.

The identified hotels are: Diepkloof, Orlando West, Dube, Meadowlands hotels situtiated in Soweto, the Kagiso, Mohlakeng hotels in the West Rand, Saulsville, Mamelodi, Refilwe hotels in Tshwane, Sebokeng, Boipatong, Sethokga hotels in the Sedibeng area and Buyafuth hostel in Ekurhuleni.

Set to cost the department R500 million, the project is part of the provincial Department of Housing's Redevelopment Programme.

The refurbishment and redevelopment of hostels started in December last year with four flagship hostels in Soweto, and to date 140 units have been fully completed

A further 2 346 have been earmarked for completion by the end of March 2009, with a budget of R379 million, said the department.

The move is in line with the department's Breaking New Ground strategy aimed at creating sustainable human settlements.

The strategy seeks to address issues of poverty, unemployment, social and economic conditions in human settlement areas.

"For those who qualify for RDP housing will be assisted with RDP flats within the larger complexes, and RDP houses external to the complexes over the next couple of years," said the department.

Further other forms of tenure will be available for people who do not qualify for RDP projects through backyard rental, and communal rental within the larger complexes, it assured

Currently, there are two emergency interventions underway with the first phase due for completion by the end of the financial year (March 2009) to the tune of R13 million.

"This will repair any major structural, and drainage works, and will also involve a major clean up," the department said, adding that phase two to be completed in the next financial year has committed R12 million and will address electrical and plumbing works.

Source: BuaNews