THE Nelson Mandela Municipality recently met with the Social Housing Foundation, Provincial Department of Housing and Social Housing Partners , where interventions in speeding up the implementation of Social Housing in Nelson Mandela Bay were discussed.

In addition, project-readiness of sites identified for development in Mandela Bay were assessed.

The delegation of NMBM was led by the Portfolio Councillor for Human Settlements Andile Mfunda. Mfunda was accompanied by a member of the Social Housing Task team Jimmy Tutu, Executive Director Mr Seth Maqethuka and other officials of the Human Settlements Directorate.

This visit was also used to evaluate the quality of work done by our partners in these areas, and site inspections of social housing projects were undertaken.

 Said Mfunda: "I was highly impressed with the quality of development done by SOHCO and Own Haven in East London. In learning from their experiences, we intend to replicate the development patterns of these successful projects in Nelson Mandela Bay".

Mfunda confirmed that the NMBM will soon launch its Brownfield Project in Park Towers, Rink Street, Port Elizabeth as a flagship project.

 "This project has received appraisal on its uniqueness in terms of its location and economic and social integration," said Mfunda, before adding that the NMBM will be engaged in a "robust marketing campaign to popularise the Social Housing Programme planned for the city and ultimately a Social Housing Indaba will be hosted in this year".

The municipality’s Social Housing Programme promotes the establishment of sustainable Human Settlements through restoring and furthering human dignity and citizenship, integrated development planning and funding alignment, inner-city regeneration and rental housing provision.

This rental programme will ensure a rental housing programme that is delivered mainly by social housing institutions (private companies) to low- and middle-income households earning between R1 500 and R7 500 per month. It ensures that affordable rental housing is provided at a medium- to a high-density.

Source: Nelson Mandela Bay