News / Local
Bulawayo council to avail affordable stands to public
09 Jul 2012 at 07:13hrs | Views
THE Bulawayo City Council is in the process of servicing 546 low income residential stands in Magwegwe North suburb at a cost of about $1,5 million as it moves to reduce the housing backlog in the city.
The housing waiting list stands at about 95 000.
Beneficiaries, who are supposed to be already on the housing waiting list, would pay deposits that would be used to service the stands.
The project would be located about 15 kilometres west of the central business district along Luveve Road.
According to the latest council report, council would service sewers, roads and street lights before residents start building.
The objectives of the project include satisfying the need to provide affordable housing for residents.
"Council wants to avail affordable housing stands to the public, create diversity in the city's housing stock, and reduce the housing waiting list," read the report.
The report shows that residents would be required to pay deposits of 35 percent on acceptance of the offer for the stands.
"A further 35 percent will be paid in equal instalments within the first six months with the remaining 30 percent to be paid within 12 months, thus bringing the total payment period to 18 months.
"The selling price of the stands will be determined by the city valuer," the report read.
The report further shows that the project would benefit from existing infrastructure in Magwegwe North and the surrounding suburbs that include Luveve, Lobengula West and New Magwegwe.
"These stands were a result of proposed layout created in an already developed suburb which was developed in 1977 and 1979. Facilities like commercial centres and schools are already provided for."
The report shows that servicing of the stands may take up to 30 weeks.
The project was assessed and found to have a low risk profile as about 65 percent of homeseekers on the housing list were deemed to be able to purchase and develop high density stands.
Since 2011 council has embarked on a housing delivery strategy in addition to pre-selling residential stands to beneficiaries on the council waiting list which has seen stands being sold in Pumula South, Mahatshula, Emganwini and Emhlangeni suburbs.
The housing waiting list stands at about 95 000.
Beneficiaries, who are supposed to be already on the housing waiting list, would pay deposits that would be used to service the stands.
The project would be located about 15 kilometres west of the central business district along Luveve Road.
According to the latest council report, council would service sewers, roads and street lights before residents start building.
The objectives of the project include satisfying the need to provide affordable housing for residents.
"Council wants to avail affordable housing stands to the public, create diversity in the city's housing stock, and reduce the housing waiting list," read the report.
The report shows that residents would be required to pay deposits of 35 percent on acceptance of the offer for the stands.
"A further 35 percent will be paid in equal instalments within the first six months with the remaining 30 percent to be paid within 12 months, thus bringing the total payment period to 18 months.
"The selling price of the stands will be determined by the city valuer," the report read.
The report further shows that the project would benefit from existing infrastructure in Magwegwe North and the surrounding suburbs that include Luveve, Lobengula West and New Magwegwe.
"These stands were a result of proposed layout created in an already developed suburb which was developed in 1977 and 1979. Facilities like commercial centres and schools are already provided for."
The report shows that servicing of the stands may take up to 30 weeks.
The project was assessed and found to have a low risk profile as about 65 percent of homeseekers on the housing list were deemed to be able to purchase and develop high density stands.
Since 2011 council has embarked on a housing delivery strategy in addition to pre-selling residential stands to beneficiaries on the council waiting list which has seen stands being sold in Pumula South, Mahatshula, Emganwini and Emhlangeni suburbs.
Source - chronicle
