Mayoral committee member for human settlements Carl Pophaim tests a tap at a backyard dweller’s home in Hanover Park.
About 16 Hanover Park backyarders received toilets along with water, refuse and electricity municipal services this month as part of a City support programme for them.
The programme helps, where possible, to install toilets and basins and provide basic services for backyarders living on City-owned property.
Mayoral committee member for human settlements Carl Pophaim visited the residents who had the services installed, on Tuesday October 8.
All backyards should register and update their details on the City’s housing needs register to be eligible for housing opportunities in the metro, he said.
“There is typically a low registration rate for backyard dwellers who are a very vulnerable grouping,” he said.
“My vision, however, is to invest greater resources in driving the upgrade of living conditions of all our residents living in informality through various programmes and initiatives. The backyarders programme is one of our priority programmes within human settlements, and we are pleased that this work will immediately improve the lives of many residents residing in backyards in Hanover Park and also in projects across the metro,” he said.
Hanover Park resident of 25 years, Celeste Halifax, who lives in a backyard dwelling with her husband and three children, said that she was happy to receive a toilet, basin, and running water.
“We are very happy, everything works well. We are very grateful,” she said.