The City of Cape Town is offering relief to indigent tenants renting council owned properties by offering grants to those struggling to meet their monthly rental payments. All tenants that as a household collectively earn less than R3200 a month will qualify for the grants.

The City of Cape Town can be considered the largest land lord in South Africa with around 43 000 rental units, and more than 19 000 selling scheme units. The former plays a crucial role in housing the more impoverished members of the community. In order to conduct maintenance and upgrade these units, tenants are still required to pay rent.

“We want to retain that culture of payment, but we also recognise that people are struggling financially. It (the grant) is based on the income of the debtor and those who apply for the first time to the City will have their arrears written off as a once off assistance given by the City,” explained councillor for Human Settlements, Benedicta Van Minnen.

For those heavily indebted, forking out a set monthly amount often proves quite challenging. Under the grant arrangements, tenants will only have to pay what they can afford, but at the same time offers the City some form of revenue to assist with maintenance.

Within the last the last financial year the City of Cape Town has assisted 5500 tenants with the indigent grants. For the financial year ahead, the City has set aside a budget of R35 million.

Those seeking such grants are advised to visit their nearest City of Cape Town housing office to apply. Office details can be found at https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Housing/Pages/Contactus.aspx.

Alternatively you can contact trace online, which has been appointed to assist with the application of grants, at 0861 99 7777 or online at www.traceonline.co.za. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)