Gauteng Replaces Housing Waiting List with Demand Database 24 February 2008 The Gauteng Department of Housing recently unveiled a new customer information management system that will radically turn-around housing delivery in the province ensuring that the planning for housing development is done according to customer demand, need and affordability. The new system, known as the Demand Database, will replace the Housing Waiting List in the province. MEC for Housing Ms Nomvula Mokonyane officially launched the Demand Database campaign themed "Ziveze.Itlhagise" (Present Yourself) at the Sol Tsotetsi Community Hall in Sebokeng in the Vaal recently. The consumer awareness campaigned will be rolled out through out the province in 5 months will mobilize all people in province who applied for government houses since 1996 to come forward and update their details in the new Demand Database. T he Demand Database is meant to accelerate the delivery of housing as it will provide the department with the accurate details of all customers in need of housing in the province. Unlike the Waiting List, all households qualifying for various government subsidies and in need of housing products ranging from free Reconstruction Development Project (RDP) housing, to rental and bonded housing, for households earning up to R7 500, will be registered on the Demand Database. Speaking to the community during the launch, MEC Mokonyane urged all Gauteng communities to respond to the call by the department, "For the first time, we are introducing a system that will substantially improve efficiencies and assist us to identify the demand for housing in order to be in a position to plan and execute the correct housing products for our people." MEC Mokonyane said the introduction of the Demand Database is part of a turn-around process initiated by the Gauteng department of housing to improve internal business processes in order to fast track housing delivery in the province. "Our experience has also taught us that not everyone who is on the list is in need of an RDP house," said MEC Mokonyane. "The Housing Waiting List only allowed us to register for the RDP housing demand and this has made it difficult for us to plan appropriately as a substantial number of people in the province are looking alternative accommodation such as affordable rental and subsidised housing. Another shortcoming with the Waiting List was the fact that a number of people were not qualifying for free RDP houses due to the fact that they had benefited in other provinces, while in some cases people's circumstances had changed. "We want people to update their details so that every household in need of accommodation should be assisted. While our approach inclusive, it will also assist us in ensuring that those who qualify for free RDP houses are easily identified and assisted as well," says the MEC. The campaign will run until the end of June this year will first be piloted in Sedibeng in the Vaal and Motsweding in Bronkorspruit. The department will be distributing a newspaper inserts of the Waiting List to all communities in the province, starting with Motsweding and Bronkorspruit as from tomorrow. For more information, contact: Mandla Sidu Issued by: Gauteng Department of Housing
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