MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Mossel Bay municipal area experienced an increase in the number of indigents between 2014 (6 423) and 2016 (11 364), implying an increased demand for indigent support and an additional burden on municipal financial resources.
This is according to the Western Cape provincial government's 2017 Socio-Economic Profile, published in January this year.
At a public meeting in D'Almeida this week the community expressed shock at the number of people said to be on the municipal housing waiting list, said to be in excess of 10 000 people. Residents argue that access to housing includes access to services such as potable water, basic sanitation, electricity and refuse removal services, to ensure that households enjoy a decent standard of living.
Several people addressed the municipal executive regarding problems of the affordability of housing and services.
Apart from explaining that at least 700 housing opportunities will be made available for the indigent in the soon-to-be-realised Louis Fourie Corridor, the executive mayor, Alderman Harry Levendal also highlighted the measures the municipality takes to assist the poor with service delivery.
"The 2018/19 budget is focused to alleviate the plight of the poor," Alderman Levendal said. He added that households classified as indigent receive a monthly subsidy of R636.72, inclusive of VAT, on their household accounts, subject to certain conditions regarding monthly income and water and electricity consumption.
"Households classified as poor receive a subsidy of R318.36, inclusive of VAT.
These households will continue to receive six kilolitres of water free and pay no basic charges on water.
"Indigent households receive 50kWh of free electricity per month. As in the present financial year they do not pay for sewerage and refuse removal services and do not pay property rates on the first R81 000 valuation of their properties, if the market value of the house is less than R81 000; otherwise the indigent household receives a subsidy equal to the market value property or the first R50 000."
Pensioners
The 2018/19 budget again brings financial relief to pensioners in the form of special rebates on property rates and sewerage charges.
Equitable share
The municipality annually receives an equitable share, which is designed to fund the provision of free basic services to people who cannot afford these basic needs. For the 2018/19 year, the municipality will receive an amount of R80 258 000.
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