Housing policy ‘anti-poor’
•Tue, 19 Jun 2007

By Thabisile Gumede

MSUNDUZI’S low-income housing policy has been criticised by housing rights organisations for being regressive and anti-poor.

A document sent to city officials and residents by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (Cals) and the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) states that the general lack of affordable housing in the city has led to an increase in the number of informal settlements.

The two organisations embarked on a joint investigation of possible housing rights’ violations after the 2005 Willow Gardens estate evictions.

Initial research found rentals for state-owned and council-owned housing are being increased at a rate of 15% per annum.

The municipality said the percentage will be revised when “break-even” market rentals are reached.

The report gives the municipality suggestions on how they can go about addressing inadequate housing provision.

The organisations recommend the municipality recommit itself to providing affordable social housing and negotiate an amicable resolution with low-income residents. Planning the phased in situ upgrading of informal settlements instead of disruptive and costly relocations was also emphasised.

Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus leader Bill Lambert said he is particularly concerned by the housing problems of the poorest residents and the apparent shortcomings of the municipality’s response to these housing needs.

“The DA has never supported the imposition of market-related rentals on council’s existing low-income tenants,” Lambert said.

Msunduzi Municipality spokesman Skhumbuzo Mpanza said he was not aware of the report from Cals and COHRE, but that the municipality is in the process of addressing housing issues.

Published: 19 June 2007