KNYSNA NEWS – More recipients of subsidised housing in Hornlee were recently handed the keys to their new homes as part of the ongoing rollout of completed houses in the area - albeit without electricity.
The handover of Erf 3333 (old swimming pool) is the latest in a series of handovers over the past months and constitutes one of four subsidised housing projects nearing completion in Hornlee.
The main site, F2252, now named Fountain Valley, was the first to have houses handed over when the site was completed in August 2020. Electricity supply was added in December last year.
At the next two sites - Erf 3367 (Calender Street) and Erf 3369 (near Hall Street) - houses were handed over as they were completed.
According to Knysna municipal spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhoudt, the latest handover at Erf 3333 in the week 19 to 23 April saw 13 residents receiving their houses. "I am so proud of my house, my heart is filled with pride and happiness," said recipient Bernie May.
"I have been on the waiting list for 24 years, and I want to really say thank you to everyone that has supported me and stayed by my side."
Irene Lewis was proud to have her own house.
Photo: Celeste Wabanie/Eden FM
As was the case with Fountain Valley in August last year, however, these houses are not yet serviced with electricity. To date, Fountain Valley remains the only one of the four housing sites that is electrified .
According to Bezuidenhoudt, "electrification is in process" and the expected completion time is "the end of May". When asked about the status of all the housing sites, Bezuidenhout said "they are practically complete".
In addition to the four sites mentioned above, which all started in the third quarter of 2019, there are two more erven that have been identified for housing in Hornlee.
The first is Erf 3339, which has been earmarked for a housing development, while the second is Erf 4712 where beneficiaries will receive lots of land that will be serviced, but the beneficiaries will have to build a house on their lot themselves.
Lorraine Donson was happy to receive the key to her new home.
Photo: Celeste Wabanie/Eden FM
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