EACH-ONE-SETTLE –ONE CAMPAIGN
BACKGROUND
U South Africa like other developing countries has a high volume of households living below the poverty line. Due to unemployment and high-level cost of building materials, these households cannot provide decent shelter. Similarly, financial institutions are reluctant to offer loans to people who cannot afford to buy houses. This has resulted in many families being forced to live under poorly constructed houses in unsuitable areas that expose them to floods, health hazards and fire.
Our government has built over 3 million subsidised housing units since 1994. In this regard, South Africa is the only country with such rate of delivery.
However, due to:
* Increasing number of households,
* Decreasing household size
* Migration into urban areas
South Africa has a high number of homeless people in over 2 500 slums, increasing overcrowding in backyard dwelling, with 2.1 million housing backlog translating into approximately 12 million people without decent houses.
The government accepts that it cannot do this alone.
It is in recognising the above that Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale, will on Thursday 29th September 2011 launch the Each-One-Settle-One campaign to the JSE’s Top 200 companies. The aim of the campaign is to lobby and mobilize stakeholders, the private sector institutions, donor agencies and ordinary citizens to assist the Department in reducing the backlog of human settlements.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW WILL THE contributION OF THE private sector, stakeholders AND DONORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
· by participating in the campaign, the private sector, donor agencies and citizens, will be contributing towards sustainable human settlements by providing people with shelter and dignity.
· Their assistance will further help to reduce the housing backlog thus increasing the number of houses available to the homeless.
· By helping to construct homes, you are not only satisfying the vital need for shelter but you will also help stimulate the country’s macro and micro economy.
· Human settlement is not just about building houses. It is about transforming our cities and towns and building cohesive, sustainable and caring communities with closer access to work and social amenities, including sports and recreation facilities.
HOW CAN COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUALS PLAY THEIR PART?
· By way of financial pledges towards house builds and other programmes.
· By coming up with strategies for job creation with regards to human settlements.
· By donating their services, expertise, building materials, time or land. This can include professional services such as engineering, accounting, architectural and legal.
· By helping to provide permanent housing for domestics and employees residing on employers’ property
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE MONEY, CAN I STILL ASSIST?
No contribution is too big or too small. The Department is willing to accept any amount you can afford. Any amount of time donated towards house builds within your community or neighbouring settlements is also welcome.
BUT I ALREADY PAY MY TAXES, WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR WHAT GOVERNMENT IS PAID TO DO?
Unless we take individual responsibility for housing our fellow citizens, South Africa may find itself in a catastrophic recession similar to that of the United States. It will take about a decade to settle the current backlog of 2.3 million houses and that excludes new houses.
By doing your bit, you are not only helping to remove the financial constraints and capacity challenges currently faced by the Department but, you will also help achieve the national goal to build 220 000 houses per year, and in the process, you will actively contribute towards a sustainable economy.
WHAT GUARANTEE DO I/WE HAVE THAT THE MONIES WILL BE SPENT RESPONSIBLY?
We have taken great care in ensuring that contributions are made into a separate bank account that will be overseen by an independent board of Trustees.
SO WHAT ARE THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS?
The programme presents several economic spin-offs including the creation of tens of thousands of jobs, skills development, local research and development, as well as individual dignity and community upliftment.
WHAT MARKETING VALUE DO I STAND TO GAIN AS A COMPANY?
Your company will receive the following acknowledgement:
* Exposure on the Department of Human Settlements’ website
* Mentions is media releases related to the programme
* Branding on construction billboards at the sites
WILL YOU PROVIDE PROGRESS REPORTS AND HOW OFTEN?
The Department will host quarterly media briefings to report on the progress of the campaign. Such reports will also be availed to the public on the website.
HOW WILL THE DEVELOPMENT SITES BE DETERMINED AND PRIORITISED?
The Department sets annual targets that are driven provincially. As such, we will direct funding (and or support) in accordance with the provincial projects in which the donor resides or operates.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN?
For more information, please visit: www.dhs.gov.za
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