Cape Town - Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale has handed over homes to the elderly, child-headed families and the disabled in Cape Town.
The beneficiaries, selected from the provincial and city housing lists, have been helped through the Legacy Project (launched in July) of the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC).
The modern homes included environmentally sustainable elements such as "northern orientation, thermal properties... solar water heaters, water tanks, green and vegetable gardens."
Four areas, allocated by the government in Conifers, Blue Downs, were set aside to build eight double-storey 60 square meter homes.
The Legacy Project's achievements formed part of the 12th International Housing and Home Warranty Conference, which started on Monday in the Mother City.
Sexwale graced the opening of the conference, giving a provocative keynote address before leaving for Blue Downs, outside the city, for the handover ceremony.
The minister was accompanied to the event by his deputy Zoe Kota-Fredricks and NHBRC chairman Dr Vukile Mehana, among other delegates.
Mehana told BuaNews that government was prioritising the poor who should be housed close to amenities such as schools and clinics, adding that they were focusing on "deracialising communities", reducing housing backlogs and getting rid of informal settlements.
He said that the project sought to showcase "innovate and green building technologies", adding that in SA there was a requirement "for innovation in the subsidy housing market, so that those in need can be assisted faster and more effectively."
"Currently there are a number of sustainable, innovative building technologies available in the country that aim to provide fast turnaround and cost-effective...solutions that will assist in denting the housing backlogs," said Mehana. - BuaNews
