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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - It's all systems go in terms of the project to supply 150 homes for residents of KwaNonqaba in Mossel Bay.

It is an Enhanced People's Housing Process project.

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The foundations have been dug for the first house for elderly member of the community, Voorman Jende, in John Maphisa Street in KwaNonqaba, who qualified for a grant for a house.

Jende's house will act as a model and showhouse.Recently the Mossel Bay Advertiser reported on the project, which is making use of bricks manufactured by recycling polystyrene.

The bricks provide superior insulation, are fire resistant and sound proof. Also, less water than in conventional methods, is using during the building process. Greenlite Blocks manufactures the bricks.

Bongani Swartbooi, of the organisation, Yakh' Indlu Housing Association, who is a facilitator of the project, says it is hoped a factory making the bricks will be established in the Southern Cape, because there is only one in Cape Town currently.

The housing project focuses on creating employment for women and the youth. Local business women are being employed as service providers in this housing scheme.

The contractor for the project is Apex SA Developers (Pty) Ltd.

Swartbooi explains: "In the Enhanced People's Housing Process (EPHP), those who need houses come together and they work with an NGO such as Yakh' Indlu. These beneficiaries then appoint an executive committee that runs its affairs and also a facilitator, such as myself.

"The project must then be approved by the local municipality and it then goes to the regional municipality office and then the Provincial Department of Human Settlement."

There are strict criteria for qualification for a house in terms of age and income.

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