The City of Cape Town says its Human Settlements backyarder programme has provided much-needed support to several backyard households in Hanover Park and nearby areas, with plans to expand the initiative across the metro, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Also read: Hazardous tree removal underway in part of Tokai Forest
The City supports backyarders on City-owned property by providing water, concrete toilets, washing basins, refuse collection and electricity where feasible, as part of its city-wide backyarder service programme.
Check out these budget-friendly offers under R100 000 and cruise through Cape Town in style. Find car listings.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements Carl Pophaim and teams recently visited the residents of Hanover Park where the backyarder services have been installed.
‘We were thrilled to see the progress that the teams have made in Hanover Park with the installation of important services, such as concrete toilets and water supply to residents residing on City-owned rental property in the area.’
According to the City, the Municipal Finance Management Act prohibits using public funds to enhance private property, limiting the City’s assistance to backyarders on City-owned land.
The City’s vision is to allocate more resources to upgrading living conditions for all informal residents through various initiatives.
‘The City was the first municipality in the country to introduce basic services to backyarders residing on municipal-owned property,’ adds Pophaim.
‘While hard work continues to assist as many backyard residents residing on City property with basic services as possible, we encourage all backyard residents to register and to update their details on the City Housing Needs Register for affordable housing opportunities in the metro.’
‘There is typically a low registration rate for backyard dwellers who are a very vulnerable grouping,’ said Councillor Pophaim.
Community members have taken to social media, stating that while the programme provides services, it perpetuates a cycle where people remain backyard dwellers with no foreseeable future of getting houses, despite many being on the waiting list for years.
In September last year, a group of protesting backyard dwellers confronted officials at the Cape Town Civic Centre, demanding that unused public land be allocated for social housing, GroundUp reported.
This protest was led by the Social Liberals for Backyard Dwellers (SLBD), a group established in 2019 in Delft, which represents backyard dwellers and those who have been on the housing waiting list for over a decade.
During earlier discussions with City officials, unused military land in Wingfield and Youngsfield have been identified as potential sites for housing development.
Pophaim addressed the protesters, expressing an understanding of their frustration, citing his own experience as a backyarder who had been evicted in Grassy Park.
However, Pophaim made it clear that no promises could be made.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city, at half the price?
Also read:
Picture: