Boost for Schauderville housing
Tremaine van Aardt
AFTER six years of deadlocked arguments, budget cuts and planning, Schauderville residents in Nelson Mandela Bay will finally receive 114 new houses between Gumpert and Goddard Roads.
The overgrown patch of land better known as "Die Kampie" has become a crime-ridden area where several murders and other serious crimes have occurred over the years.
"The dire shortage of houses in Schauderville grabbed my attention from the beginning. Working together with the Department of Human Settlements, the final plans were produced," Ward 7 councillor Chris Roberts, who championed the development, said.
A meeting was held recently in the Jarman Hall to inform Schauderville residents of the new development. The meeting was attended by more than 280 community members who enthusiastically took to the task of creating street names for the new area.
"I am so happy to see that we have not been forgotten. In some of these homes families of 10 people or more are living," Schauderville resident Joey Minnaar said.
He added: "Housing is a big problem in this area and I want to say thank you to our ward councillor who has acknowledged it and is doing something about it".
Roberts said the plans would be put before council and once approved, the building plans will fall into the province's housing schedule.
"The main battle is won, it is simply a matter of time now. The money which will be provided by the Department of Human Settlements will build the houses and help about 500 people to start their lives over."
Mohammed Shake, from the Department of Land Planning and Human Settlements, confirmed the proposal was being reviewed but due to provisions in place, an exact date for building to commence could not be confirmed.
"It may still be a while before we see any actual building take place. But the ball is rolling and should everything be approved, there will be new housing development in Schauderville," Shake said.