adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
MASVINGO municipality has resolved to hand over council houses to residents who have been occupying them for more than 15 years as revenue being generated is not adequate to maintain or upgrade them.
According to the latest council minutes, all the houses will be deposed under the local authority’s home ownership scheme.
For a house to be included in the scheme, it should have been occupied for more than 15 years by the same tenant or family.
“Consideration was given to the report of the director of housing and community services, Levison Nzvura on the home ownership scheme for council rented houses. A council resolution authorising the conversion of council rented houses to home ownership scheme was made but not implemented,” read the minutes.
“For a house to qualify for the home ownership scheme, it should have been occupied by one tenant or a family for a period of not less than 15 years. Shared accommodation shall not be subjected to home ownership. This is because it has become expensive to maintain the houses or upgrade them as compared to revenue generated.”
Nzvura told The Chronicle yesterday that council was in the process of implementing the resolution. He said residents deserve to be offered the houses at concessionary rates, but could not immediately provide the number of houses under the scheme.
Online Reporter