The refurbishment of approximately 7000 Community Residential Units in Cape Town is on the verge of being completed.

As an ode to Human Rights Day the City announced on Friday that approximately 93% of the units identified for upgrade have been completed.

Work has been completed in Scottsville, Scottsdene, Uitsig, Woodlands, Connaught, Kewtown and The Range.

Refurbishment is still underway in Manenberg, Hanover Park, Heideveld and Ottery.

“This project is intricately linked to improving service delivery to our more vulnerable residents. When service delivery is improved, living conditions are improved.

“This achievement is our tangible tribute to Human Rights Day and we will continue to do everything in our power to protect this right,” says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Benedicta van Minnen.

Quality is a top priority

Most of the City’s rental blocks of flats are more than 30 years old. According to Van Minnen quality is therefore a top priority. Each rental unit has to pass several stringent quality checks before various levels of contractual completion are certified.

Even after the families take occupation, the Community Liaison Officer visits each home to list any complaints residents may have.

“We urge communities to continue to work with us so that we can complete the remainder of the units. We remain concerned about the level of gang violence in certain areas which is jeopardising the safety of our residents and our efforts to increase service delivery,” says Councillor Van Minnen.

This project has received various awards. In 2014 it was named the South African Housing Foundation’s Community Development Project of the Year.

“Where units have been completed and tenants have moved in, the tenants are receiving training on general home maintenance and the importance of paying their rent as the rental income is used by the City to conduct general maintenance on its rental stock.

“Creating the culture of payment is therefore very important and it is vital that a sense of shared responsibility exists,” says Councillor Van Minnen.