Eight new homes handed over at Metrogrounds
In the photo above a proud Deborah Booysen, a mother of four children, received her home keys from Mayor Jackie von Brandis. From left are Cllr Theresa Jeyi (Chief Whip of Council),Given Masase and Brumilda Kirchner (Official from the Human Settlements Department, George Municipality).
A total of eight houses were handed over last week, bringing the total number of houses completed and occupied at Metrogrounds Housing Project to 89. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address housing shortages in the community.
According to Clinton Petersen, Acting Deputy Director: Human Settlements at George Municipality, the beneficiaries of the Metrogrounds Housing Project were selected based on criteria from the Housing Demand Database. Priority was given to those who have been on the waiting list the longest, as well as individuals aged 60 and older, persons with disabilities, farm workers, and residents of informal settlements and backyards. The houses handed over last week were allocated according to a list provided by the contractor, indicating homes that are ready for occupation.
Mayor Jackie von Brandis said she is ecstatic for the new homeowners. “Most of them have waited a very long time for their homes and I hope even more new doors will be opened soon,” Von Brandis said.
The beneficiaries who received keys to their new homes include, Abraham Claassen (53) and Monica Frances Jonck (57), Koos Prinsloo (53) and Enrika Van Rooyen (36), Frederick Bruiners (52) and Lena Alexander (53), Piet Jafta (53), Deborah Booysen (40),Marike Jonk (37),Victoria Beginsel (51) and Sam Williams (52) as well as
Mogo Matilda Kanie (52) and Johannes Kanie (55).
Deborah Booysen said three of her four children will live with her in her home. She said she feels good to be able to move into her brand-new home. She said she lived at Palana Informal Settlement and have been on the waiting list since 2003.
Frederick Bruiners and Lena Alexander and their son Alfredo (22) will live in their new house after waiting for their new home since 2003. They’ve had their informal house burned down in Borchards and lived in a temporary structure. “Yoh, Frederick exclaimed almost in disbelief as he said he is so happy that they have their own home now.”
Good progress has been made on the project and 347 houses are still to be handed over in the Metrogrounds development.
During a progress meeting held on 30 October 2024, it was confirmed that snagging for the remaining houses in Phase 1, which consists of 236 housing opportunities, will be completed by 29 November 2024.
In addition, Phase 2 of the project, which includes 200 housing opportunities, is advancing with 150 houses in the final stages of completion. Approval was also granted in October 2024 for the construction of 196 top structures for Phase 3, with processes for construction and subsidy administration is set to commence pending the completion of the necessary statutory documentation.
Photo:
Mayor Jackie von Brandis handed the title deed of the home to Frederick Bruiners and Lena Alexander after receiving their new home at Metrogrounds. From left are Cllr Theresa Jeyi (Chief Whip of Council), Mayor Von Brandis, Alexander, Bruiners, Raylene Petrus and Vanessa Brandt from Human Settlements, George Municipality.