​DIGNITY for indigent families living in Clermont is being restored through a housing project currently underway, which once complete, will see a total of 400 free-standing double storey units being built.

The project, called Kloof Extension 15 and 21 which started in December 2019 and is expected to be complete in 2023, is in-situ and divided into four areas.

A total of 160 units is anticipated to be built in the current 2020/21 financial year, another 160 in the 2021/22 financial year with the balance of 80 units due to be built in the 2022/23 financial year. All beneficiaries from the four areas have been temporarily moved to the fourth area, with top structures currently under construction in areas one, two and three. “Once construction is concluded in areas one, two and three, beneficiaries will then be located to their new homes which will open area four for construction,” explained Project Manager Msizi Chonco.

A budget of close to R71 million, excluding VAT, has been allocated to the project with four contractors appointed to construct 100 units each. “This amount is in line with contractors’ appointments, which is below and within the approved project budget/subsidy. Contractors have also sourced labour and subcontractors locally,” said Chonco.

To further boost the local economy, Chonco said building material is also being sourced within the ward or from the Pinetown area. He said the typology being used in the project was chosen by the community itself, after looking at various typologies and taking into consideration the steep terrain challenges and number of beneficiaries within the project.

nonhlanhla.mkhabela@durban.gov.za