Two pensioners have been left homeless by what they say is lack of response and help from the metro\u2019s housing department.<\/p>\n
Jennifer Dixon and her friend Jean Button have been waiting for accommodation in municipal flats for a long time.<\/p>
Jennifer has been waiting for almost a year and Jean for over a year.<\/p>\n
Every time they contact the metro to find out what is happening with their applications and where they are sitting on the waiting list they are treated rudely.<\/p>
\u201cYet there are flats open in a number of blocks and they remain empty for months while we have nowhere to live,\u201d said Jennifer.<\/p>\n
Jennifer added that she feels the waiting list can be manipulated to serve the officials own purposes due to the fact that when you apply you do not get a waiting list number.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never know where you are on the waiting list.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could be moved right to the bottom for all you know depending on how the officials are feeling,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She added that the lack of feedback from the metro is extremely frustrating and the rudeness that goes with it is not acceptable.<\/p>\n
\u201cI made a number of email enquiries regarding flats standing empty at two municipal blocks of flats and I am still waiting for a reply,\u201d Jennifer said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I am homeless it concerns me greatly that even though I have been waiting for almost a year and my friend for longer than that we have not been offered these vacant places.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jennifer added that the metro does not seem interested in helping elderly citizens and would appreciate some assistance from them.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Slow housing delivery by the metro despite massive housing grant<\/a><\/p>\n Low water pressure causes high tempers in Elsburg<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The GCN sent the matter to the metro numerous times for comment and only after making a personal appeal to the metro\u2019s city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi, did the newspaper finally receive a response.<\/p>\n Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the metro said, \u201cThe allocation of housing is done in accordance with a separate waiting list of pre-qualified applicants, which is kept at the human settlements department regional offices.<\/p>\n \u201cThe applications must be renewed by the applicants every year to ensure the waiting list reflects true need.<\/p>\n \u201cStaff members work strictly on this waiting list as dictated by the policy for the Administration of Council Owned Public Rental Housing Stock.<\/p>\n \u201cGenerally, when there is a vacant flat the applicant at the top of the waiting list will be invited to come and complete the lease agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cOften there are a number of circumstances that make it that the unit cannot be immediately occupied.<\/p>\n \u2022 The unit has to be refurbished first.<\/p>\n \u2022 The new applicant having selected a delayed date to occupy the unit.<\/p>\n \u2022 Cancellation of the lease agreement by the new applicant etc.<\/p>\n \u201cThe two women were communicated with via email and telephone and were informed that they were not on top of the waiting list to be allocated units.<\/p>\n \u201cThey will be allocated units when there are vacant and appropriate units available.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is expected that every official should treat all applicants in terms of Batho Pele principles (openness and transparency, courtesy etc).\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n