Govt commits to rolling out houses constructed via innovative building tech by April

The Department of Human Settlements has committed to rolling out houses constructed through innovative building technologies by April.

On Wednesday, Minister Thembi Simelane announced a summit to address the housing crisis.

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Simelane also announced the rollout of IBTs, which are structures built with alternative materials as opposed to the traditional brick and mortar.

She has presented these structures as a more durable, resilient structure that has been seen in other flood-stricken countries, withstanding the storms.

Simelane said houses constructed through innovative building technologies will address the challenges of informal settlements and homelessness by those struck by disaster because they can be built rapidly and they are resilient and able to withstand disaster.

She said while there have been pockets of areas where these structures have been built, the mass rollout by government throughout the country will be begin in April.

Director-General Alec Moemi said, “The key issue is going to be where it is obvious and I’m saying obvious because those areas have flooded before, we know, we have recorded it. In those areas, we have to start community engagements. It will be a lengthy, protracted process.”

The department said the mapping process in preparation from the building should be completed by March.

The summit is also expected to address more of the country’s housing challenges, including the planting of informal settlements.