Housing and the eradication of informal settlements are at the forefront of rteh Sout African government's infrastructure investment plans, according Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.
In his 2009 Budget Speech the Minister indicated that in the next three years, infrastructure grants to municipalities will total R67 bn (€5.2bn), and a further R45 bn (€3.5bn) will be spent on the country’s Breaking New Ground housing programme.
"Together with investment in roads and public transport, these constitute one of the largest areas of expansion of public sector spending, and are rightly prioritised as part of our response to the current deterioration in employment and economic activity," said the minister.
In South Africa, housing delivery increased rapidly between 1994 and 99 and more than 721 813 houses were built in the first five years and more than 892 699 units were built in the second five years.
To address housing needs, particularly in rural areas, the Department of Housing facilitated the delivery of approximately 186,000 incremental housing opportunities between 2004 and 2008 through housing finance provided by the National Housing Finance Development Institutions. During the period from 2004 to 2008, through Breaking New Ground, an estimated 311 600 direct
South African construction job opportunities were created in addition to a further 290 750
indirect construction job opportunities, making a total of 602 350
construction job opportunities.
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