News / Local
City council avails 1,000 residential stands
17 Dec 2014 at 09:17hrs | Views
THE Bulawayo City Council which is grappling with a housing backlog of more than 100,000 has availed 1,000 housing stands meant for low income earners to a private land developer.
The developer, Rent a Roof Private Limited, in its application to the local authority indicated that they intended to invest $70 million in the construction of 4,000 houses. However, the council according to the latest council report, indicated that Rent a Roof (Pvt) Ltd can only be allocated 1,000 stands.
"The committee has resolved to recommend that in principle Rent a Roof (Pvt) Ltd be allocated 1,000 stands for the purpose of constructing houses including the 313 stands in Cowdray Park, which are available, within an approved layout but subject to the company submitting a performance bond to the value of the project," read the report.
In ensuing debate, councillors said the local authority should note that some land developers renege on the trust bestowed on them by the local authority and end up selling the stands to residents.
About 85 percent of people on Bulawayo's housing waiting list can only afford low-cost housing while only 15 percent can afford houses meant for the medium-to-high income earners.
Ward 4 councillor Silas Chigora said the applicant would address housing shortage in the city.
"More applications of this nature should be encouraged, I think that the application should be supported and more land availed," said Chigora.
Councillor Earnest Rafamoyo said he supported the decision to avail stands to private developers but said few stands must be availed on a trial basis.
"The applicant's report is comprehensive and it has relevant background information. The applicant should therefore be given 315 stands on a trial basis and thereafter more stands (total of 1,000) in order to reduce the housing backlog," said Rafamoyo.
Deputy Mayor Gilbert Banda said he supported the applicant's request for 4,000 stands arguing that in the event that he fails to deliver, council would repossess the stands at no cost.
Acting Town Clerk Sikhangele Zhou indicated that while management was anxious to see improvements in housing delivery, there was a need to be circumspect and have due diligence in choosing a partner for the city to ensure efficient project implementation.
The developer, Rent a Roof Private Limited, in its application to the local authority indicated that they intended to invest $70 million in the construction of 4,000 houses. However, the council according to the latest council report, indicated that Rent a Roof (Pvt) Ltd can only be allocated 1,000 stands.
"The committee has resolved to recommend that in principle Rent a Roof (Pvt) Ltd be allocated 1,000 stands for the purpose of constructing houses including the 313 stands in Cowdray Park, which are available, within an approved layout but subject to the company submitting a performance bond to the value of the project," read the report.
In ensuing debate, councillors said the local authority should note that some land developers renege on the trust bestowed on them by the local authority and end up selling the stands to residents.
About 85 percent of people on Bulawayo's housing waiting list can only afford low-cost housing while only 15 percent can afford houses meant for the medium-to-high income earners.
Ward 4 councillor Silas Chigora said the applicant would address housing shortage in the city.
"More applications of this nature should be encouraged, I think that the application should be supported and more land availed," said Chigora.
Councillor Earnest Rafamoyo said he supported the decision to avail stands to private developers but said few stands must be availed on a trial basis.
"The applicant's report is comprehensive and it has relevant background information. The applicant should therefore be given 315 stands on a trial basis and thereafter more stands (total of 1,000) in order to reduce the housing backlog," said Rafamoyo.
Deputy Mayor Gilbert Banda said he supported the applicant's request for 4,000 stands arguing that in the event that he fails to deliver, council would repossess the stands at no cost.
Acting Town Clerk Sikhangele Zhou indicated that while management was anxious to see improvements in housing delivery, there was a need to be circumspect and have due diligence in choosing a partner for the city to ensure efficient project implementation.
Source - chronicle
