Wednesday, 22 January 2020, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, visited the Parow Housing Office, an example of how the City is bringing services closer to its residents. The office, located inside Parow Centre, assists residents with a variety of services including helping with Housing Database enquiries and administering the sale and transfer of saleable rental units, delayed transfer units and serviced sites.
The City opened this office in 2019 to bring its services closer to residents and shows that the City is doing everything in its power to bring convenient and efficient services to the doorstep of its residents. As this office is conveniently located inside Parow Centre, it is close to public transport and is accessible to residents who might struggle to visit a housing office located elsewhere in the city.
Visitors to this office are able to chat to staff members about all of their housing needs including registration on the Housing Database, updating details and checking their status. They are also able to discuss the sale and transfer of saleable rental units, delayed transfer units and services sites, among other matters.
‘I decided to visit the Parow Housing Office today to see our customer service in action. It was enjoyable to engage with members of the public and with City staff to get first-hand experience about the queries that are coming in regarding our housing projects,’ said Councillor Booi.
Approximately 570 residents visit the office and 1 500 Housing Database enquiries are attended to each month.
‘While visiting the Parow Housing Office, I noticed that many of the residents had enquiries about the Housing Database. We encourage residents to apply to register on the Housing Database and if they are already registered, to make sure that their personal details are updated regularly. This could include a change in address or telephone number, marital status and number of dependants, among others.
‘The City will contact residents as soon housing opportunities become available and needs the correct details to do so. We need residents to work with us and to take responsibility for what is required of them.
‘It is positive that we are able to provide this opportunity to residents so that they have a convenient space where they can meet with a City staff member to talk about housing matters. As a customer-centric organisation which aims to serve all of the people of Cape Town, it’s important that our residents are able to access services which are almost on their doorstep,’ said Councillor Booi.