Rocklands woman waits 21 years for government housing support

A Rocklands woman has been waiting for government housing since 2004 and is still without a permanent home.

Lorenzo Collins, 55, and her youngest daughter have had to move between different temporary living arrangements.

They previously stayed at a crèche, where they slept on the floor while her daughter was completing her schooling.

She had also lived with her eldest daughter, but when her daughter moved out with her partner, Ms Collins had to pay R5 000 for accommodation and could not afford to do so.

She recently updated her contact details with the City of Cape Town and was informed that her housing application was scheduled to be handled by this month.

Ms Collins remains hopeful for a bungalow in a Strandfontein housing project, but she fears that if she finds employment, she might lose her housing subsidy.

She and her daughter, now in Grade 12 at Rocklands High School, are currently living in Strandfontein in a building with a few other families as they have nowhere else to go.

The City of Cape Town confirmed that Ms Collins has been registered on the Housing Needs Register since 2004. She was told to update her details as the system displays a different surname. Ms Collins is up for possible consideration in the Beacon Valley housing project. This project is, however, currently on hold due to extortion.

Melt Botes, spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure, said Ms Collins should approach the City of Cape Town’s Housing Helpdesk to confirm her eligibility for a housing opportunity in this project.

Applicants register their need for a housing opportunity on the Housing Needs Register of their local municipal authority. In this case, the responsible local authority is the City of Cape Town, he said.

Local authorities oversee housing allocation, assigning homes based on registration date and targeted project areas.

Successful applicants undergo screening to verify eligibility. They must provide proof of identity, income, and dependents to complete the subsidy application, he said.

To qualify for a fully subsidised home, applicants must be registered on the municipal housing demand database, have a valid registration date, and be South African citizens or permanent residents. They must be at least 18, married, cohabiting, or single with financial dependents. Household income cannot exceed R3 500 per month.

Applicants cannot have previously owned property or received a government housing subsidy, except in cases like divorce or inheritance.

Applicants must remain in contact with their local housing office to ensure their personal information is up to date. They can contact the City’s Housing Helpdesk on 021 444 0333 or WhatsApp on 063 299 9927 or email housing.db@capetown.gov.za or SMS 44108.