Victoria Falls unveils Kazungula Housing Scheme

THE Victoria Falls City Council is working on releasing a yet-to-be-confirmed number of unserviced housing stands as the local authority seeks to reduce the housing backlog in the resort city.

Victoria Falls attained the city status in 2019 and the housing waiting list has grown to over 15 000.

The local authority in May tried to sell close to 500 housing stands to home-seekers who are on the waiting list. The process was, however, abruptly shelved after some residents blocked the sale.

The residents claimed that the council had not consulted them and feared that ordinary home seekers would be prejudiced.

The Victoria Falls Watchdog, a civic organisation that was formed early this year, approached the High Court seeking an order interdicting the council from selling the stands.

This was after the council had advertised inviting homeseekers to visit its offices for vetting with those on the waiting list expected to pay a US$3 000 deposit for high-density and US$5 000 for medium-density stands.

Thousands of residents thronged the council offices, some spending the night in the queue, and others had to travel from other towns and cities to be vetted.

The council management later engaged all concerned stakeholders and it is now proceeding with the sale.

The local authority has advertised calling on homeseekers to submit required documents together with their waiting list details.

This time people will not queue but will submit their details and successful home seekers will be invited for further processes.

The Kazungula Housing Scheme will be financed through the beneficiary pay model, where home seekers will pay deposits which the council will use to develop the stands.

Payment for the stands will be spread over 12 months after payment of an initial deposit.

Preference will be given to first-time home seekers who have been on the waiting list for not later than December 2020.

Submission of required documents is set for January.

Victoria Falls City Council public relations assistant Mr Mandla Dingani advised residents to make sure their documents are in order.

“The process entails that prospective home seekers will be required to submit their particulars which they will put in boxes that will be provided. The documents include application letters, contact details, copies of waiting lists, and national ID,” he said.

“Applicants are advised that there will be no need to queue at the offices after submitting their papers as successful applicants will be contacted in due course. Our consultative processes have pointed to the need for the delivery of housing stands.”

Mr Dingani said relevant stakeholders were consulted about concerns raised hence the re-advertisement.