Question NW1900 to the Minister of Human Settlements
08 July 2022 - NW1900
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(a) What remedial assistance will be provided to beneficiaries of the Breaking New Ground houses that were destroyed during the KwaZulu-Natal floods and (b) on what date is it envisaged that such assistance will be provided?
Reply:
In terms of the provisions of the Constitution, policy, and legislation, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements (KZNDHS) is responsible for the planning and implementation of housing and human settlements programmes in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. This includes the Human Settlements Emergency Housing Programme. The Province has advised that they have commenced with the construction of Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) for households whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by the floods which occurred during the course of April 2022. The households are currently being accommodated and housed with neighbours and/or in halls and/or churches and/or tents.
The Department is planning in the immediate future to construct approximately one thousand eight hundred and ten (1810) temporary residential units. One hundred and eight (108) temporary residential units (TRUs) have been completed for families affected by floods in various District Municipalities including eThekwini Metro.
The target is to complete all the 1810 Temporary Residential Areas (TRAs) within a period of three months (May to July 2022), however, it should be noted that the set timeframes will depend on a number of operational and technical variables which include obtaining suitable land for displaced families, the necessary planning and environmental approvals, availability of materials to construct the temporary residential units (TRUs) and so on.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements in conjunction with eThekwini and the National Department of Human Settlements developed a long-term or permanent solution to assist flood victims. To date, a total of 199 Serviced Sites located within eThekwini Metro have been identified and a verification process, as well as site visits, have been completed. A total of 65 sites have been identified as developable and will be suitable for development as a permanent solution. The 65 sites vary in size, ranging from 300sqm-2800sqm, therefore more than one unit can be constructed. The Department also identified various land parcels to provide permanent accommodation.