GEORGE NEWS - The Golden Valley housing project has delivered 136 brand-new homes to the community of Blanco in the George Municipality.
Construction at the R29-million project commenced in March 2017 and has provided 136 beneficiaries with houses as per the outlined targets.
The final group of beneficiaries took occupation of their homes in the second quarter of 2022.
The project experienced challenges in its initial stages with two years lost due to construction delays between August 2018 and October 2020, when George Municipality sought the assistance of the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements (WCDoHS).
New contractors
After the original contractor did not commence with the work due to financial constraints, the George Municipality wrote to the WCDoHS to assist with the procuring and appointment of new contractors in December 2019.
After the appointment of a new contractor by the Department via an Emergency Limited Bid, construction of top structures resumed in October 2020 and was completed at the end of the first quarter 2021.
WC Minister of Human Settlements Tertuis Simmers said, "It is quite remarkable to note that within 18 months we not only managed to build and complete these houses, but have handed over all of the 136 units to the deserving beneficiaries, whose lives have been changed for the better.
"When George Municipality presented this matter to us in 2019, as the Western Cape Government, we recognised the severity of the situation, taking into consideration the appalling living conditions that the intended beneficiaries found themselves in.
"We therefore could not delay the procurement and appointment of a noteworthy contractor and resumed with construction as soon as possible."
The project unlocked economic opportunities for seven small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), creating 50 job opportunities for local residents. Of the 136 beneficiaries, 103 have received their title deeds in what is another milestone for this project.
"I commend the George Municipality for acknowledging the urgency the situation necessitated and writing to my department for our assistance. It is through such collaborative efforts [between the spheres of government] that we can once again ensure the citizens of this province continue to receive the services they deserve.
"Through this project we granted 103 beneficiaries with security of tenure and made the legal homeowners by handing over title deeds," said Simmers.
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