The DA in Mpumalanga expresses concern over the fact that housing backlog in the province widens annually as Human Settlements Department and MEC Speedy Mashilo keep failing to meet set targets.
Currently the province has a housing backlog of 275 103 (up from 225 023 in 2020/2021). In 2016/2017 under Violet Siwela, the former MEC of Human Settlements, the backlog stood at 147 000.
Being cognisant of the fact that our housing backlog increased by 128 103 houses to 275 103 houses over a span of eight years, the DA condemns the inability of this department to stick to the housing delivery targets that have been set over the past couple of years.
This inability is further reiterated in the 2019-2024 medium term strategic framework (MTSF) as the department planned to achieve a set target of providing 63 324 housing opportunities. However, just recently, MEC Mashilo revealed that the department only managed to provide 46 932 housing opportunities over the above-mentioned MTSF period, leaving a further 16 392 residents without access to decent housing in the province.
MEC Mashilo stated the following as some of the reasons for not meeting the set targets:
- Rising inflation and the related increase in building materials
- Sluggish economic growth
- And budget cuts
The DA believes that in order to cater for the current as well as the future housing demand, MEC Mashilo and his department must come up with a strategy that will allow them to meet the set housing delivery targets, despite the tough economic conditions ahead.
In light of the above, the DA has written a letter to MEC Mashilo, asking him to detail a plan that will ensure that we provide housing to the 275 103 residents who do have a roof over their heads.