Local Government Neglects People’s Housing Needs

The failures of local government in fulfilling its responsibilities and meeting the needs of the people have become glaringly evident. Local municipalities, which serve as the frontline interface between the government and its citizens, are failing to deliver essential services and address pressing issues as reported by Sowetan Live.

Residents often have to rely on local government to address basic concerns like fixing deteriorating roads and infrastructure. Through direct taxation in the form of rates, citizens contribute to the funding required for the state to provide these essential services. However, numerous news reports highlight the government’s consistent failures in fulfilling its obligations, leading to growing discontent and protests among the people who feel let down by those in power.

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A recent example that epitomises this failure is the Lehae housing project in the City of Johannesburg. Launched in 2010, this project aimed to construct around 5,147 houses for eligible individuals in need of state-provided housing. While the initial phase progressed relatively smoothly, with over 3,000 housing units successfully completed and handed over to beneficiaries, the project encountered significant setbacks during the second phase.

During this crucial stage, intended to deliver 2,023 housing units, the City of Johannesburg faced a funding shortage, resulting in the abandonment of construction and leaving hundreds of houses unfinished. The Auditor-General raised valid concerns regarding this financial shortfall, yet the answers remain elusive even after an extensive period of 13 years. Additionally, reports indicate that completed houses exhibit structural defects, highlighting a failure to enforce construction standards and regulations.

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The vacant and incomplete houses have become havens for criminal activities, attracting delinquents seeking cover. Furthermore, some individuals who were meant to be beneficiaries of the housing scheme resorted to occupying the unallocated buildings, citing vandalism and the removal of fixtures. These occupiers invested their own resources to make the houses habitable but now face the risk of eviction as the city contemplates remedial action.

This unfortunate situation emphasises the urgent need for community involvement and a bottom-up approach in addressing such housing challenges. Why should houses remain unoccupied for years when there is a pressing demand for adequate housing? Until we hold local government accountable and demand their sincere engagement in resolving these issues, problems like those observed in the Lehae housing project will persist as a common occurrence.

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Photo: Facebook / @Lehae