Cabinet was informed that the housing plans and designs for families facing relocation have now been produced through a collaboration between the Ministries of National Housing and Social Amenities, and Local Government and Public Works according to the Minister of Publicity Monica Mutsangwa at a press briefing yesterday.
Families are facing displacement after heavy rains this year damaged houses and properties around Zimbabwe.
Mutsvangwa said, “The production of appropriate housing plans and architectural designs which promote settlement densification through high-rise structures is a pre-requisite for the provision of housing to families faced with relocation. ”
“They (plans and designs) are mainly the H-type with two and three-bedroomed units, and target low-income earners.”
The Broadcasting Minister went on to reveal that the provision of relief to distressed households, and identification of relocation areas, will continue across all the provinces in order for corrective action to be taken.
She said the building brigades will be revived towards the programme.
“The designs will accommodate public facilities at the ground floor, and include WIFI centres, a community hall with ablutions, an amusement area, a play centre, and a pre-school. Other amenities will entail shops, a pharmacy, a surgery, and a hair salon. Liquor outlets and activities that require bulk storage and haulage are excluded,” she said.
“As the exercise to streamline the operation of cooperatives continued, Cabinet agreed that being a co-operative requires compliance with a legal process. This will assist in promoting policy consistency at all levels of Government.”
An assessment by joint Ministerial teams found the number of households facing displacement stands at a national total of 21 852.
“Harare Metropolitan Province tops the list at 15 713 households, followed by Mashonaland East (1 947), Manicaland (1 683), Mashonaland Central (622), Masvingo (575) Bulawayo (549), Matabeleland South (532), Matabeleland North and Midlands at 105 each, and Mashonaland West (21),” Mutsvangwa said.
