The metro is accelerating delivery of social housing projects that provide subsidised housing for people earning between R3 500 and R8 000 a month.

SOUTHERNWOOD Square was a joyful place recently, when Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale was in town.

Sexwale brought a special Valentine's to East London on 14 February when he officially opened the new Southernwood Square Housing Project in Southernwood. The project is an initiative of his department and Own Haven Housing Association.

The huge housing development provides subsidised housing for people earning between R3 500 and R8 000 a month. The first residents moved into the flats in September 2011.

However, there have been some complaints about the workmanship, and Sexwale met residents before the opening to listen to their grievances.

The department was aware of the problems that had been experienced in these blocks of flats, he said. "We have heard the complaints from the tenants and we are aware of such structural defects in these flats and we assure you that they will be fixed in time."

Explaining the problems in the housing project, one of the residents, Lungelo Nazo, told Sexwale that there were cracks in the walls, there was damp and a defective drainage system. "We have structural defects and security issues in all the projects of Own Haven."

In response, Sexwale said: "There is no building that is ever right. Every project must be snagged. It does not matter whether it's in New York, it will have defects, but at the end of the day everything must be fixed."

Speaking at the opening later, he pointed out: "The housing project is set to help those who can't afford luxurious apartments in the CBD."

The managing director of Own Haven, Andrew Wiseman, said: "We value each of our projects and we are happy to finally open this building."

He assured residents that the security issues in the buildings would be number one on the company's list of issues to resolve. "I want the tenants to feel safe and comfortable in their own space."

The MEC of finance and economic development and environmental affairs, Mcebisi Jonas, said: "South Africa has a housing crisis and with these projects we are trying to minimise the crisis."

The province was delighted to know that over 1 500 people had been accommodated and were happy with their houses.

Source: www.buffalocity.gov.za