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20 townships get housing options

14 Sep 2006
A new programme to be unveiled on 13 September aims to provide alternative housing to backyard shacks that have become an eyesore in 20 townships around Gauteng. By Tammy O'Reilly

People living in backyard shacks stand to get new rooms or their own houses with the launch of the Top 20 Townships programme by the Gauteng government.

On Wednesday, 13 September, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa will unveil the government's multibillion-rand plan to house backyard dwellers in townships and informal settlements, at the Mehlareng Stadium in Tembisa.

A pilot project is already under way in Orlando, Soweto, where over 750 units are being built to house families relocated from backyard shacks. For homeowners, this project will offer an opportunity to upgrade the shacks in their backyards into proper rooms. In some cases shack dwellers will be relocated to new property elsewhere.

There are more than 35 000 families living in backyard rooms across Johannesburg, but with the launch of the programme, tenants could get improved accommodation.

Backyard shack dwellers are an eyesore in many Johannesburg townships. But they offer a more affordable and readily available housing option to newly arrived migrants desperate for accommodation. This kind of living is attractive because facilities like electricity and water are accessible from the landlord's property and rental is low.

The townships earmarked for the programme are: Atteridgeville, Boipatong, Bophelong, Daveyton, Duduza, Kagiso, Khutsong, Katlehong, Kwa-Thema, Mamelodi, Mohlakeng, Munsieville, Ratanda, Refilwe, Rethabiseng, Saulsville, Sebokeng, Sharpeville, Soshanguve, Soweto,Tembisa, Tsakane and Wattville.

The project is expected to be completed by 2009.

Article and photograph/s courtesy of City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za).

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