Question NW4232 to the Minister of Human Settlements

Reply:

(1) Yes, the draft Strategy to address Air Pollution is supported by my Department.

(2) Steps have been taken to address the ongoing harmful health impacts of domestic fuel burning being suffered by residents of dense low-income settlements. These include adjusting the norms and standards of building a BNG housing unit to be in line with agreement reached with the Minister of Energy. The policy and its cost implications was discussed and approved by Human Settlement MinMec in November 2013. The new norm and standard has since been implemented by all Provinces with effect from 1 April 2014. The revised standard provides for building environmental sustainable and energy efficient subsidy financed houses comprised of the installation of ceilings and above ceiling insulation, the plastering of all internal walls and rendering on all external surfaces plus the replacement of Ready Board electrical installation with a fully-fledged basic electrical installation for the whole house. All these new measures lead to a better thermal performing dwelling making it less dependent on cooling and heating and there is no more need for burning fossil fuels for cooking purposes.

The Department remains committed towards the re-development of all informal settlements and is collaborating with municipalities in providing basic services which, in collaboration with the Department of Energy includes the provision of a basic electrical installation for each household