Today, 10 October 2019, great-grandmother Pauline Davids (89) unlocked her life-long dream of being a homeowner when she received a State-subsidised Breaking New Ground (BNG) house in the City of Cape Town’s Delft Housing Project. The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, was there to congratulate the new home owners, including Ms Davids, and to hand over their keys.

Great-grandmother Ms Pauline Davids (89) is among 50 beneficiaries who will be receiving their new homes in the City’s R185 million Delft Housing Project this week.

Ms Davids, who has six children, 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, was overjoyed to receive her new home today.

‘I am so very, very glad. I thank the Lord, after waiting for so long, I have received my house,’ said Ms Davids.

Beneficiary Ms Agnes Borman, who is paralysed on the right side of her body, was also excited for her new house as she has been living in a backyard in Delft.

‘I am very happy because I have been living with other people and have been paying for rent. I can now use the money for my children for food and clothes,’ said Ms Borman.

Ms Borman and Ms Audrey Oosthuizen are among five beneficiaries with special needs or who have dependents with special needs who received their homes this week.

Councillor Booi and Councillor Courtney van Wyk, the Chairperson for Subcouncil 5, congratulated the first-time property owners.

‘It was also an honour for me to congratulate our beneficiaries, including Ms Davids and Ms Borman, on their new homes. It was heart-warming to see the joy and thankfulness on their faces as we celebrated this memorable moment with them. Owning a home gives beneficiaries security and signifies the restoration of their dignity. We are very pleased that we are able to share these moments with our beneficiaries and their families.

‘Also, as a caring City, it is important for us to ensure that the homes for our beneficiaries with special needs specifically cater for beneficiaries with physical challenges so that their homes are more accessible to them and suitable to their needs. For this reason, their homes include a ramp leading to the front of the house, grab rails in the bathroom, sliding doors to the bathroom and lowered light switches to make it accessible to wheelchair-bound residents,’ said Councillor Booi.

Over the coming months, more qualifying beneficiaries will receive their own homes as part of the City’s commitment to provide 2 400 BNG houses in the area.

The Roosendaal Housing Project, which formed part of the first phase of development, was completed in 2016 and provided 288 beneficiaries with BNG housing opportunities.

‘It is great to see that the construction of the Delft Housing Project is progressing well. To date, approximately 808 houses have been handed over out of the 2 112 housing opportunities that are planned as part of this construction phase.

‘Going forward, it is important for our property owners to know that they are responsible for their homes. We therefore encourage them to make responsible decisions regarding their homes which includes the maintenance and upkeep of their homes as well as ensuring the security of their assets for their loved ones in future by including it in their will,’ said Councillor Booi.

Note to editors:

Due to the risk of vandalism and invasion of completed BNG houses, the City affords beneficiaries the choice to move into their homes before the electricity connections have been installed. Most beneficiaries prefer to do this and they will sign a letter of acceptance to indicate their agreement. Delft is in an Eskom electricity supply area, and therefore they will connect and provide the services as soon as possible.

CAPTIONS:

Photograph 1: Beneficiary Ms Pauline Davids (centre) with her daughter Charlotte (left) and Councillor Malusi Booi, the City’s Mayco Member for Human Settlements (right).

Photograph 2: Beneficiary Ms Agnus Borman in her new house, which is more accessible and suitable to her physical needs.

Photograph 3: Councillor Courtney van Wyk, chairperson for Subcouncil 5, congratulates special needs beneficiary Ms Audrey Oosthuizen and her husband George on their new home.

Source: City Of Cape Town