Gauteng’s MEC for Local Government and Housing, Humphrey Mmemezi, has encouraged impoverished white people to get their names onto housing lists and apply for one of the RDP houses being built by the provincial or local housing departments.

He raised this issue during his maiden budget tabled in the Gauteng Legislature yesterday. Mmemezi says that it’s important for people to realise that housing subsidies are there for everyone and that these are not limited to indigent black people.

He says the integration of housing across all racial groups is a “crucial priority” for his department, as it will help to build sustainable human settlements and a more cohesive society.

He says that all South Africans who are forced to endure poverty must apply for government subsidies irrespective of their historical background. Mmemezi says that his department is currently involved in talks with people in Kagiso, Krugersdorp and Coronation to integrate deserving white families into the Chief Mogale housing project.

The provincial department of Local Government and Housing has set a target to build 50 000 homes this year and more that 25 500 of these will help to eradicate informal settlements. A further 9 500 serviced stands will be provided to people living in these townships.

Mmemezi says that 4 900 mixed housing developments will be built during the current year along with 1 800 hostel units and almost 1 700 units will be available for rent.

The department plans to revive the urban renewal programmes in Evaton, Bekkersdal and Alexandra and to complete the conversion of the M2 hostel in Alexandra into affordable family units. About R91-million will be spent in Alexandra.

According to Mmemezi’s budget, R75-million has been set aside for the finalisation of housing projects in Bekkersdal and his department has undertaken to proceed with housing developments in Vereeniging, Tembisa, Krugersdorp and Germiston.

However, Mmemezi warned that he was unhappy with the continued shoddy workmanship done by contractors and warned that these firms would be blacklisted and prevented from doing any further work with government.

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My comment is for this above article
1.I think is good for white people also to apply for RDP houses, some i know they are really leaving same life as us, this is a very good idea,
2.I heard they counted all the area especially in West Rand, but they forget the Mathole, informal settlement in Roodepoort, the some houses are unfinished, since after the elections, the contractor has stopped building, some houses had been built up, some people has already occupied their houses, we are left unattended some houses left half done, empty stands between houses, is it our government forgot about us really. Is that R75 million that has been set aside are we also included on or what.
I think Mmemezi must also visit areas like these i see by her/ himself how other places looks like, i know it is not only Matholes'ville in Roodepoort but please let all be treated equally and same - Anon

My mother is coloured and has been on the list for many years – No house forthcoming.
What about coloured people living in extreme impoverished conditions, Mr Humphrey???
Just a thought! - P. Leeuw