Nkomazi Local Municipality 20 - Co-operative Governance and ...

15.2. Human SettlementStrategic Objectives: To facilitate the process of human settlement and formalisation of informal settlementsIntended outcome: improved humansettlements to all communitiesThe demand for housing in rural villages of the Municipality is increasing. The Department of Human settlement is implementing orhas embarked on implementing housing projects in the municipal area. In terms of the provincial survey conducted in 2008, thehousing backlog is estimated at 40 869. The provincial Human Settlement Department in consultation with the Local Municipality iscurrently developing a demand data base which will serve as a basis for future housing allocations.Though much effort has been dedicated towards the reduction of housing backlogs, land availability for future housing developmentsremains a challenge as a number of land parcels either belong to Traditional Leaders or private individuals. This hinders the roll outof houses as future human settlements are determined by land availability. It must however be noted that housing provision stillremains a Provincial function and the Municipality assists with the identification of beneficiaries. The nature of the Municipalitydictates that instead of establishing new human settlements, infills are the key housing development programs as most of thebeneficiaries exist within already existing settlements.The Municipality has through the Department of Land Affairs applied for funds to purchase land for future Human Settlementsdevelopments. The newly developed SDF identifies land parcels which are ear- marked for future human settlements development.These land parcels provide indications on infrastructure and services available. This will assist in the development of futureComprehensive infrastructure Plans.Immigration still remains a challenge as the Municipality borders Swaziland and Mozambique. A number of immigrants coming fromthese neighbouring countries due to a number of varying reasons contribute towards the huge housing backlogs experienced. Asthese immigrants do not have the necessary documents, they are unable to access a number of services offered by the Governmentand end up living in shacks or poor housing facilities.Some of these people come as seasonal labourers whose intentions are to work during a particular season in the farms and do notrequire permanent residence while at the same time cannot afford to pay rent for housing due to poor remuneration. They normallyprefer to use residential units found in the communities where they can easily afford to pay low rents or allowed to stay in the houseswhere the owners are working in cities.The Municipality has developed a demand data base with a list containing names and numbers of people in need of housing.Table 31__ RDP Houses Distribution in the Ehlanzeni District MunicipalityMunicipality Houses Completed HousescompletedExpenditure Projected Expenditurd e Backlog (as at lastcensus)2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2010-2011Thaba Chweu 388 707 2534 11 399 634 10 184 834 2149 784 7428Mbombela 1553 2579 2360 41 121 676 49 702 724 11351 496 24 943Nkomazi 2028 1903 329 78 631 031 27 773 511 5083 702 23 536Umjindii 252 429 1915 5812 577 4279 706 844 148 6181Bushbuckridge 39 869 800 1002Ehlanzeni 4221 5618 7177 136 965 918 91 940 775 20 298 930 63 090Source: Department of Human SettlementNKLM Integrated Development Plan 2012_2013 86