By Alicia Mmashakana
The Western Cape and Disabled People of South Africa (DPSA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to construct accessible infrastructure, including housing.
The MOU is designed as a framework to enhance collaboration in the infrastructure sector to strengthen efforts to deliver housing that is accessible to persons living with disabilities.
The follows the DPSA identifying several challenges, including the backlog in housing affecting persons living with disabilities, the prioritisation of persons with disabilities as a vulnerable group, and the lack of clarity on criteria for those who qualifying for housing opportunities.
“This collaborative agreement seeks to address housing needs, employment opportunities and the many inequalities faced by persons with disabilities. It is symbolic that, as the country was celebrating Reconciliation Day… we are here today to do justice to the forgotten and most marginalised group,” DPSA provincial chairperson Bongani Yamba said on Tuesday.
The Western Cape government has agreed to give special attention to applications for the retrofitting of houses for persons living with disabilities.
Policy guidelines will also be provided to all municipalities for the prioritisation of households in which persons with permanent disabilities are a member.
The provincial government will also ensure that the venues used by the human settlements department to register potential beneficiaries are accessible to people.
“We recognise that not all people’s needs in the Western Cape are the same and today I am reaffirming this government’s commitment to work with our partners at the DPSA and deliver infrastructure, especially housing opportunities, that are accessible to all,” said infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers.
INSIDE POLITICS
