Chronicle Editor
Tafadzwa Chibukwa, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) last month unveiled 117 new housing stands in Pumula South suburb.
A total of 853 applicants who were already on the council’s housing waiting list registered for the housing stands but only 177 were successful after interviews.
The city’s housing waiting list has ballooned to more than 130 000 and council says it needs to avail more than 3 000 stands annually.
Successful applicants were required to pay a deposit of 35 percent and 14,5 percent VAT of the purchase price with the balance payable over six months.
The deposit for a 200 square metre stand is US$2 673 while the deposit for a 400 square metre stand is US$4 950.
In a statement, council corporate communications manager, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said council wants to complete servicing the stands as soon as possible to enable the beneficiairies to start building their houses.
“The City of Bulawayo expects to complete servicing of Pumula South 117 stands in December and the beneficiaries are expected to submit building plans for approval immediately after the commissioning of the stands,” said Mrs Mpofu.
She said council was committed to reducing its housing backlog and was calling on the private sector to complement its efforts.
Mrs Mpofu said provision of decent accommodation for residents was key to attaining vision 2030.
In November 2020, Cabinet adopted the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy (ZNHSP) which is meant to address the housing and social amenities backlog while reducing the rural and urban divide.
Government intends to build 225 000 housing units by 2025 as it works to reduce the country’s housing backlog which stands at about 1,2 million. — @Sagepapie14
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