Western Cape Calls For Explanation Over Significant Housing Budget Cuts

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure DOI has formally requested an explanation from the National Department of Human Settlements NDHS following its alarming decision to cut R300 million from the province's housing grant allocation for the 2024/25 financial year.

This reduction comes from an original budget of R1.987 billion earmarked for human settlements and raises significant concerns for the future of housing projects and opportunities in the region, reports Cape town Etc .

Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers has emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, 'It is critical that the National Department engages with us and shows us how they came to this decision.

'We have to come to a resolution, because there is simply too much at stake for housing beneficiaries in this province. This R300 million budget cut puts current projects and hundreds of housing opportunities in the Western Cape at risk.'

The DOI had previously submitted an adjusted business plan for the forthcoming financial year in September 2024, which outlined a proactive approach to managing its human settlements budget.