Eastern Cape Works to Fast-Track Rural Housing

Strategies to fast-track rural housing delivery in the Eastern Cape will be the main focus of a Rural Housing Summit to be held this week.

Department of Housing and Local Government spokesperson Phumlani Mdolomba said the two-day summit, which kicks off on Thursday, will focus on rapid land release, land for asset ownership and the renewal of the rural residential property market.

It will also focus on alternative technologies and indigenous knowledge systems in material supply and construction methods to speed up delivery.

"The deliberations and outcomes are expected to feed into and enhance the draft provincial strategic framework for creating sustainable human settlements from this year [2008] to 2014 which is currently under broad consultation in the province," said Mr Mdolomba.

In November last year, Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu had tasked the National Home Builders Regulation Council (NHBRC) to conduct an audit of a major Eastern Cape housing project in a bid to prevent poor workmanship.

The move followed complaints raised by residents to the minister during a Presidential imbizo two months before.

As promised during the event, Ms Sisulu had returned to Ugie with Power Construction, the company responsible for building homes in the town. (Read More...)

AllAfrica.com

EC Housing MEC announces low-cost housing plan

She urged all building material suppliers to register with the provincial government in terms of the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) in a bid �to pull all stakeholders together� to achieve her goal of �getting housing in the Eastern Cape back on track�.

This would mean that every part in the supply chain � material suppliers, contractors and sub contractors � would now be regulated in terms of the NHBRC. (Read More...)

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