The Western Cape’s Department of Human Settlements has defended its latest housing project after receiving backlash online.
The Better Living Challenge (BLC) project, which was announced this week by the department of human settlements and the department of economic affairs and tourism aims to assist residents in an informal settlement with self-build skills and knowledge.
A 13-part video series developed for the project to help residents of informal settlements “gain a better understanding of topics such as layout, foundations and building double-storey structures” has been heavily criticised.
Are you an informal settlement resident looking to improve the building structure of your home? The Western Cape Department of Human Settlements’ Better Living Challenge project provides self-build skills & knowledge. Check out the 13-part video series: https://t.co/m3gN3OKSE2. pic.twitter.com/eV4eXJv9UA
— Western Cape Gov (@WesternCapeGov) August 10, 2021
Social media users have called for the province to provide better housing and not ideas on how to build “better shacks”.
The Western Cape human settlements department said the project forms part of the solution to the province’s growing housing backlog.
Adding that initiating the better living challenge will improve structures while people are still on the waiting list.