Howick West:

RELOCATION PHASE 1 COMPLETE

18 January 2010

Phase 1 of the project to relocate members of the community resident on the Hilton Estate was completed on schedule:  the fifty homes in Howick West were occupied by Christmas.  In a major undertaking, forty one households and a total of 262 people moved off the Estate to begin new lives as home owners in Howick West.

A remarkable partnership

The project has been hailed as a unique and groundbreaking example of partnership between the Private Sector and government in order to provide outstanding housing to beneficiaries, and the Hiltonian Society is particularly proud of this initiative.  The Hiltonian Society has entered into an agreement with the uMngeni Municipality which will allow for all members of the Hilton Estate community who elect to move to be accommodated in freehold homes in the Howick West area.  These developments will be funded  from various government grants augmented by a most generous contribution from The Hiltonian Society.  Phase 1 is the first stage in this continuing project.

For so long, the prospect of owning homes in a more convenient location seemed little more than a dream to those members of the community who wished to move.  Now, the partnership between The Society and the various government departments has seen this emerge as an exciting reality for the first beneficiaries.  The Society bought the land in the suburb of Howick West, and will shortly be recompensed by the Dept. of Rural Development and Land Reform; the Dept. of Human Settlement provided the funding for the infrastructure, such as roads, sewers , stormwater and water, together with the basic grants for the construction of individual houses; and The Hiltonian Society has matched these grants.  A separate state initiative ensured the electricity supply.  All this has resulted in fifty, well constructed and fully serviced homes of which the new owners are justifiably proud.      

The specifications for the houses were negotiated with the community, and the recipients of the first fifty which make up Phase 1 of the project, are delighted with their new homes.  The houses comprise three bedrooms, a shower and toilet, kitchen and living area, are fully electrified and include a geyser.

So much more convenient

The families which have moved in Phase 1 are delighted not only with their new houses but equally with their location.  People enthusiastically volunteer the advantages of abundant transport and the proximity of shops.  The children have been accommodated at two Primary schools which are, literally, across the road.  The Hiltonian Society has arranged a bus which shuttles workers to the Estate.

Proud owners

It has been exciting to witness the enthusiasm with which the new houses have been received.  There is real excitement amongst the community, reflected particularly in the energy being directed into grassing and gardening.  The Estate staff have provided grass runners and will be planting a number of trees around the development.  Each home will also be given a fruit tree.

Future Phases

The Dept of Rural Development and Land Reform has already purchased the land for Phase 2, which will see a further 34 homes constructed.  This Phase is now underway and will be completed during 2010.  At the same time, the search for additional land continues in order to meet the increasing demand amongst the Estate residents to be accommodated in this initiative.

The Hiltonian Society is particularly proud to be associated with this project, and grateful to the Trustees of the Hilton College Endowment Foundation for the financial support they are providing.

Iain McMillan
Director of Development