Question NW556 to the Minister of Human Settlements

Reply:

a) A Programme is instituted in terms of Section 3(4) (g) of the Housing Act, 1997 (Act 107 of 1997), (“The Housing Act”) and is referred to as the National Housing Programme: Provision of Social and Economic Facilities. This Programme promotes the provision of certain basic social/community amenities and economic facilities within existing and new housing areas as well as within informal settlement upgrading projects in order to achieve social and economic development.

In addition, the development of the new Neighbourhood Planning and Design Guide (Red Book) supports the development of sustainable human settlements by providing practical information related to the planning and design of the services and infrastructure typically provided as part of a neighbourhood development project. The Red Book covers the following Planning and Design Guidelines addressing serviced sites:

i. Neighbourhood layout and structure;

ii. Public open space;

iii. Housing and social facilities;

iv. Transportation and road pavements;

v. Water supply;

vi. Sanitation;

vii. Storm water;

viii. Solid waste management;

ix. Electrical energy; and

x. Cross-cutting issues Planning and designing safe communities’ Universal design.

Furthermore, one hundred and thirty-six (136) Priority Human Settlements and Housing Development Areas (PHSHDA’s) have been declared to address the impact of past planning practices. The PHSHDAs aim to achieve a set of uniform, equitable and integrated development objectives, and outcomes. The PHSHDAs are aligned to the National Spatial Development Framework (NSDF), the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) and the Integrated Urban Development Framework which guide the development of planning instruments and seek to guide the Spatial Transformation efforts of government.

b) Housing is a concurrent function between National and Provincial Departments of Human Settlements which requires that all three spheres work closely together in planning and implementation of human settlements development.

In terms of the Division of Revenue Act (DORA) funding for the implementation of National Housing Programmes is allocated to Provincial Governments by the Minister on an annual basis. The grants are transferred to provinces who are required in terms of DORA to submit grant business plans wherein Programme funding will be prioritised and reserved by provincial governments from their annual funding allocation.

Based on the municipal IDPs and provinces MYHDP Provinces determine Programme funding for the Programme: Provision of Social and Economic Facilities to ensure that a balance exists between the conflict which often arises from the social, economical and environmental needs.