Gauteng MEC of Human Settlements Jacob Mamabolo has called for stronger relationships between the banks and government to help those facing the threat of evictions due to difficult financial situations.
Mamabolo was speaking at the title deed handover ceremony for the In-Situ Relocation Housing Subsidy Programme held at the department.
The In-Situ Relocation Housing Subsidy Programme is a pilot by the Department of Human Settlements, City of Johannesburg and Nedbank aimed at assisting family members defaulting on their bonds after the death of the breadwinner servicing the bond.
The pilot programme was started in 2008 and was targeted at assisting specifically child headed households, pensioners and people living with disabilities. Mamabolo pointed out that the 91 beneficiaries came from vulnerable members of society.
“There is no bank that could have taken interest in helping people during the time when the economy was depressed. We thank Nedbank. As new home owners please take care of your homes,” the MEC told the beneficiaries.
“We have people calling us from all over the province telling us that they are being evicted by banks. This program is the solution to some of those people who meet the criteria, for instance chid headed households, pensioners and disabled beneficiaries after the death of the breadwinner who was servicing the bond for a minimum of five years”, MEC said.
The MEC said that it must be clear that the programme does not cancel bonds, it assist those who meet the qualifying criteria. MEC strongly condemned the use of violent tactics when people are being evicted from their homes such as hiring gangsters.
Mamabolo said that the department will also look at ways of aligning its current policies in order to help more people.
“We also have to make sure that we work with Nedbank to promote this programme. We must be careful that the programme is not abused by those who see it as a way of not paying their bonds,” Mamabolo said.
Mamabolo also encouraged people to take up home insurance as part of protecting the future of their loved ones when they are no longer alive. The MEC warned the beneficiaries not to sell their houses and hope to benefit from government housing programmes.
“If you go to live in informal settlements and apply for a house, government’s system will be able to pick that you benefited from the programme” he said.
Thozama Mochadibane, Head: Shared Services, Nedbank Retail Home Loans said: “We are delighted to partner with the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and City of Joburg to make a difference in our society and more importantly, make home ownership a reality for deserving pensioners and child led families. Owning a home and physically receiving a title deed is a significant milestone for any home owner.”
The In-Situ Relocation Housing Subsidy Programme is an extension of Nedbank’s ongoing effort to grow the home ownership pool in South Africa, particularly in the low income segment.
Beneficiary Josephine Maseko, 66, thanked the government for coming to her rescue.
“I was almost evicted twice, because I could not afford to pay after my husband passed away in 2000,” she said.
Charmaine Olivier, 59, said that getting a title deed will improve her health.
“It is a relief, I have been under a lot of stress since my husband passed away in 2002 because I did not know where me and my children will live. My child had to drop out of university because we did not have money,” she said.
For more information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
Tel: 011 355 4873
SOURCE: SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICAL NEWS