Question NW196 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
11 April 2016 - NW196
McLoughlin, Mr AR to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether each metropolitan municipality has a programme to provide basic services to backyard dwellers; if not, why not; if so, what (a) electricity, (b) water and (c) sanitation services were provided in the 2014-15 financial year?
Reply:
The Department of Human Settlement (DHS) has developed a draft National Backyard Rental Housing Assistance Policy. The draft policy is based on the findings of extensive research, as well as case studies, commissioned by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) on Backyarders and Backyard Dwellings. This research project was followed by an extensive national consultation process to engage all the municipalities and provincial governments on the matter.
The draft policy proposals specifically make provision for grant funding to municipalities to improve the quality of life of the tenants occupying backyard rental dwellings. Importantly, the proposals also deal with the necessity of infrastructure upgrading required to accommodate the additional load on current services, and the provision of basic municipal services for backyard residents.
It is recommended that the Honourable member direct his question to the DHS, which will provide detailed information and a comprehensive answer to the question whether each metropolitan municipality has a programme to provide basic services to backyard dwellers.