31 Aug 2014

Self Helping Housing Agency (SHHA) is said to be bearing fruit in the Good Hope Sub-district Council despite some cropping setbacks in the process.

Speaking during opening of the second session of the financial year 2013/14, also the last sub-council meeting before the general elections, chairperson, Mr Joseph Leepile said already over 105 SHHA houses had been constructed and handed over to beneficiaries.

He said over 105 houses were allocated to be turnkey of which over 55 houses fell under home improvement category. However, he said the council was faced with some challenges as some of the beneficiaries did not have storage for building materials and water for construction. 

He said through hard work, they managed to provide material storage for 160 beneficiaries. He also decried large numbers of defaulters as he said they had not serviced their SHHA loans which dated back to July 31, 2013. 

He said they had 219 home improvement defaulters owing P491 944.31. He urged councillors to sensitise people about the outstanding amounts during kgotla meetings since it is a burning issue.

“Please note that, if beneficiaries do not service their loans, no funds will be available to assist more applicants as this is a revolving fund,” he cautioned. Mr Leepile further said they were constructing 30 home improvement projects and one turnkey project.

He said three beneficiaries had withdrawn after being approved due to various problems and they have found replacements albeit the three identified to replace them are still going through assessment. 

He highlighted that the current waiting list stood at 441. Moreover, he said a decision was made by government during the financial year 2013/14 to transfer the construction of turnkey houses from council to Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) and the corporation was allocated P1 320 000 by the Ministry of Lands and Housing to construct 22 turnkey houses for SHHA beneficiaries in the sub-district.

Mr Leepile called on all fellow councillors to celebrate as a district, since they have achieved one of the pillars of Vision 2016 for being ‘a compassionate, just and caring nation’ and urged them to continue with the spirit of helping those in need in order to live dignified lives. ENDS