The R52 million uMbhayi Housing Project was launched by the eThekwini Municipality Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda this month.
The housing project is earmarked for oThongathi, north of Durban.
The mayor said this is a move towards addressing the housing backlog in the city and ensuring that people live in a clean and conducive environment.
The informal settlement project upgrade will yield 779 double-storey row housing units upon completion.
Mayor Kaunda said the municipality has been building formal houses for people, which has restored their dignity and brought comfort to many.
“This project will see hundreds of beneficiaries’ dream of owning their own house become a reality. The construction of these fully subsidised homes will unfold in three phases. We expect that the project will be completed by April 2027,” said Mayor Kaunda.
He added that another benefit of the project is the skills transfer as locals will be hired. Local businesses will also benefit from opportunities that will be presented by the project in the form of construction, in sourcing, and the production of building material.
“Our targeted drive is to eradicate transit camps by 2026. We have seen 300 families from the Isiphingo Transit Camp relocate to the recently built Kanku Road Housing Project. To give security of tenure, more than 500 title deeds were issued last year giving property and home ownership to the previously disadvantaged,” said Mayor Kaunda.
