The roll-out of the City of Cape Town’s, R4 million, Backyarder Programme in Valhalla Park is nearing the halfway mark and progressing well.

More than 160 plumbing connections out of the earmarked 331 connections have already been fitted in backyard dwellings on Council-owned properties in Valhalla Park to make provision for the installation of waterborne concrete toilets.

This includes plumbing for the connection of sewer and water reticulation infrastructure from existing water and sewer connections, for wash basins, and for standpipes for each erf.

The project started in February 2015 and it is expected to be completed during the middle of next year.

“The City is doing all it can to provide interim relief and services to residents who may be waiting for a housing opportunity while living in the backyards of Council dwellings. Our Valhalla Park project is expected to benefit 786 households and I am pleased with the progress that has been made, says Councillor Benedicta van Minnen, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements.

“The roll-out of our Backyarder Programme is absolutely dependent on the support, buy-in and cooperation of the communities involved. The City, on its own, cannot improve the lives of our residents.”

Since the start of the first pilot projects in Factreton and Hanover Park in the 2012/13 financial year, the City has provided toilets, taps, electricity and wheelie bins to hundreds of households living in the backyards of City rental stock.