THE Mellon Housing Initiative, an Irish construction company, is currently busy building 663 houses in Groenheuwel and 652 houses in Project 2, Mbekweni.
According to the Project Manager, John Swartbooi, since January they handed over 13 houses to beneficiaries in Project 2.
“Another 17 houses will be handed over next week, and thereafter ten to fifteen houses will be handed over to beneficiaries every fortnight,” said Swartbooi.
At Groenheuwel 215 beneficiaries have moved into their houses already, since construction started last year.
“At the moment we are busy building the next 100 houses in Groenheuwel. We plan to complete both the houses on these sites by the end of October,” Swartbooi said.
The sister organisation of Mellon Housing, Nial Mellon Townships Initiative (NMTI), is now South Africa’s largest provider of charity housing.
The Section 21 company was established in 2002 and since then they have built a staggering 6 000 houses in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
“Through our work, the lives of more than 35 000 disadvantaged people in South Africa have been changed for the better forever.”
According to the Director of NMTI, Deirdré Grant, they are aiming high this year.
“We want to build a total of 7 000 homes across South Africa in 2008. We are also hoping to attract 2 000 overseas volunteers to take part in our week long Building Blitz towards the end of this year.
“Before then, we are holding at least one volunteer build per month.” said Grant
The NMTI is also seeking 1000 bighearted volunteers to fundraise and help build high quality low-cost houses in townships across the Western Cape.
Anyone, churches, NGO’s, co-operative companies and individuals who are interested in being a volunteer, can call Mandy Wallace at 021-426-2540.
The NMTI is working in partnership with the local, city and national authorities and providing vital training and employment for township residents, helping them to help themselves.
“By 2010 the target is to build over 45 000 homes moving 250 000 South Africans out of shacks and into quality, sustainable homes.”
