Speaker, the ANC-led government, through the Department of Human Settlements, is embarking on radical changes that could turn the tide of housing delivery in the country.
According to data from the Department of Human Settlements, some 2,7 million houses have been in South Africa over the last 40 years. Post- 1994 South Africa marked the beginning of unprecedented demand for housing, as more people moved to urban areas in search of new economic opportunities that were being created by the new democratic order. The demand became so high that the then Department of Housing was forced to look outside itself for solutions to meet this deadline for delivery when it announced the establishment of a housing delivery agency last year. The agency has facilitated the acquisition of land for housing development across the country, allowing for more than 240 000 new houses to be handed over to the new owners between 2008 and 2009.
The expenditure on housing delivery has also increased from R4,9 billion in 2004-05 to R10,5 billion in the last financial year, increasing at an average rate of 23%. Authorities, however, admit that there have been challenges.
Ward authorities, as listed in the policy of the people housing process, will seek the establishment of a new funding mechanism that will allow for more committed urban projects in the delivery of what is now termed human settlement.
The ANC-led government is committed to accelerating the delivery of housing within the context of sustainable human settlement. I thank you. [Applause.]