Work on the City’s multi-million revamp of its rental units is proceeding according to plan.

The upgrade, which began last year, is targeted at 7 700 Council houses and flats in Manenberg, Scottsdene, Connaught, Uitsig, Woodlands, Heideveld, The Range, Hanover Park, Kewtown and Ottery over the next few years and will be rolled out in subsequent phases to the rest of the City’s rental units.

Council tenants in these areas will benefit from maintenance repairs and upgrades to their houses, including internal and external painting and general improvements to their outside facilities. The City’s rental units are ageing and are in need of a planned programme to remedy the various problems that go with it, such as damp and plumbing problems.

“Refurbishment is taking place according to the needs of each area. This includes general renovations to buildings, roofs and plumbing systems and the installation of new ceilings, floor coverings, a sink unit and geyser where necessary. Fencing, refuse management, area lighting, greening of areas and recreational facilities will also receive attention,” says Grace Blouw, the City’s Manager of Existing Settlements.

The revamp is part of a national upgrade programme funded by the City’s annual housing subsidy allocation. The programme will address the major maintenance needs of all the City’s 43 500 rental units with the primary emphasis being on improving living conditions for the poor.

Phase 1, which has started in the abovementioned areas, is now well underway, with each rental unit having been surveyed for specific maintenance needs, apart from Manenberg where the survey is almost complete. The City’s implementing agents are two project management consultants, BKS (Pty) Ltd and Aurecon (Pty) Ltd (previously Africon). Project steering committees have been established in all areas as a means of liaising with the community. Business plans, feasibility studies and funding applications are being prepared and approval for funding has already been obtained for Kewtown, Scottsville and Scottsdene. The City is now preparing to put the work out to tender, with the emphasis on finding specialist contractors who can deliver a quality service whilst including job opportunities for the local unemployed. The tender period is expected to take about 3 – 4 months with construction work commencing in early2010.

“While work will be carried out with the minimum of inconvenience to tenants, some activities may require dwellings to be vacated. Arrangements for tenants who cannot find temporary accommodation with family or friends will be attended to and storage of furniture and security will be provided. Tenants with special needs will also receive attention. All tenants will be consulted in order to identify the best approach,” explains Blouw.

The project steering committees are comprised of local ward councillors and tenant representatives. The objective is to ensure that community issues are addressed, and community liaison officers have been elected and appointed to facilitate this process.

Although the major maintenance upgrade programme will be applied to all of the City’s rental properties it will not increase rentals. Tenants who cannot pay are advised to apply for a rebate under the City’s housing indigent policy.

A very important condition of this programme is that the upgraded rental units cannot be transferred to tenants, as they are to remain City-owned assets. The City is constantly working on ways to improve the management of its rental stock. Efforts are underway to ensure that those in occupation are the rightful tenants and are paying rent.