Cato Crest Enumeration and Housing

This project aimed to fund the construction of 25 housing units in the Cato Crest settlement in the Cato Manor community in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Construction was pre-financed by uTshani meaning construction costs are re-paid by housing subsidy funds of the Consolidated Housing programme. There was a particular focus on the community-driven enumerations and surveying preceding construction. This was the third community-based enumeration and mapping initiated by the South African Alliance. Housing was used as a means to push formalizing land tenure for residents, increasing the state’s engagement with community organisations and attention to community demands. Land accessed for development had the potential for construction of 6 commercial sites and 24 residential sites but Government delays meant it was invaded (discussed below), thus only 3 model housing units were built. The last house was completed in June 2000 but potential for further development exists if the Federation lobbies Government for subsidy funds owed. The housing units were not of great use to the community but positive impacts were made in Cato Crest through the sustained Federation presence. Project activity showed that there are better alternatives to state options. Ripple effects of this include the 2008 agreement with the City and Federation to do a high-density development on a vacant plot in the settlement. To date this is not completed. Government prevarication and obstruction prevented progress for a prolonged period with the result that the land was invaded. This highlights the challenge of the pace of Government delivery, which includes the 15-year and counting delay of Government subsidies to be paid. More recent social movements have faced similar challenges with Government neglecting to take community demands seriously.