Cape Town - The City Council has approved the City of Cape Town’s allocation of state-subsidised housing opportunities.
The changes to the policy will enable a lot more people to become eligible for housing opportunities.
Some of the proposed changes include expedited decision-making processes, the need for developers to adhere to the principle of the allocation policy to ensure a fair and standard process when handing houses to qualifying beneficiaries, and there was greater consideration for applicants within the priority group, which includes the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Mayoral committee member for human settlements Malusi Booi said: “Given the complex context in which the provision of housing opportunities exists, it is important that when state-subsidised housing is available, our policies ensure that qualifying beneficiaries, who are registered on the City’s housing needs register, are empowered and benefit from a fair and transparent process.
“Clear policy provisions also expedite the provision of housing opportunities.
“The changes made to the policy aim to do just that,” he continued.
He also said part of the decision-making process includes public participation and based on those responses the City of Cape Town can work towards making a final decision.
“The public welcomed the changes because it will benefit them. After hearing the responses, the decisions moved from human settlements to the mayoral committee before finally getting approved by the council,” Booi added.
The new policy was approved on March 31 and after careful consideration of all the comments received was all taken into account when the policy was finally received.