Residents living in the Otjiwarongo Single Quarters are still at loggerheads with the municipality over the implementation of the decongestion plan.

Since the beginning of the year, residents and the council have been at loggerheads, following a  decision to decongest the overcrowded single-quarters units in the town.

The plans to decongest the units means improving the living conditions of residents by relocating them to either the Kamp 5 or Saamstaan settlements.

Other options to deal with the units included auctioning or selling them off to the highest bidder, in an effort to recoup an estimated N$1,5 million debt owed by residents in rates and taxes.

Town's residents at a media conference reiterated their position not to move out of their housing units until the Municipality gives feedback on what will happen to those who would find themselves homeless as a result.

Uushona says residents also want the council to consider low-cost housing, modeled on the system employed by the Shack Dwellers Federation - suggesting repayment periods of between 10 and 30 years. 

Residents are not happy with the area where the council plans to relocate them, complaining of low water pressure.


 

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Author
Faith Sankwasa