Some residents can now proudly say they own their own homes.
The Breede Valley municipality (BVM) handed over title deeds to home owners in Avianpark, Zwelethemba and Touwsrivier.
According to JP Myburg, communications officer for the municipality, a total of 54 title deeds were handed over, 11 in Worcester, eight in Touwsrivier, 25 in Avianpark and ten in Zwelethemba.
Myburg says this initiative lies close to their heart, as title deeds can inspire hope and give dignity where needed.
Regarding these specific title deeds, the municipality has a partnership with the Free Market Foundation.
“The Free Market Foundation approached the BVM in respect of low cost housing developments which were completed before 1994 as part of the housing schemes of the municipality. This was to attend to beneficiary verifications, administration and the transfer of rental properties to legal tenants.”
He says the parties entered into a formal agreement in 2020 to ensure that pre-1994 properties are transferred to the rightful subsidy beneficiaries.
“As soon as the transfer process is finalised the municipal office and the housing department arranges a title deed ceremony where all new homeowners are invited and their title deeds are then handed over to them on that day. They also receive housing consumer education, which informs them of the responsibilities of being a homeowner,” says Myburg.
He adds that the BVM also runs a project concerning housing completed after 1994 (post-1994) in partnership with various stakeholders internally, as well as on provincial level.
