THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has decisively responded to the call for the “de-densification” of densely populated shack areas during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The metro recently handed over 10 temporary housing structures to disabled and frail elderly residents who had been staying in densely populated areas in different areas across the metro.
The new housing structures have been placed in serviced sites in Motherwell NU 29.
The beneficiaries also signed a security of tenure agreement to confirm that the sites belonged to them.
Speaking at his new temporary house, wheelchair-bound resident, Thobile Saza, said that this move brought him peace of mind.
“I have been very worried about my living conditions. The density of the area exposed me to a greater chance of infection. Now that I have a site that I can call mine, I am overwhelmed. I feel that my dignity has been restored,” Saza said.
Municipal spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, said that this programme had a two-fold aim.
The first aim is to fight the spread of Cobid-19 within the most vulnerable groups of society, and the second is to realise the NMBM Human Settlements housing allocation policy, which favours the most vulnerable members of society.
“I would also like to thank the municipality for recognising that vulnerable groups like us must be prioritised, not only during the Covid-19 disaster, but in their long-term plans,” Saza added.
Mniki mentioned that the 10 housing structures to be handed over formed part of a broader plan in terms of which the metro aimed to provide decent temporary housing while beneficiaries awaited the approval of their subsidies and the construction of their homes.
NMBM Mayoral Committee Member for human settlements, Andile Mfunda, said that the de-densification programme was part of the institution’s short and medium term plans.
“As bad as it is for a person to be infected by Covid-19, the repercussions become more severe for the disabled and elderly members of society. It is critical that they be at the top of our agenda,” said Mfunda explained.
More than 1 000 temporary structures are expected to be provided for this financial year, with the greater part of these to be provided at the start of the next financial year.
