First introduced in 2011 by the Concrete Manufacturers Association NPC( CMA), the CMA House is an initiative which, if adopted by the construction industry, will improve the quality and building productivity of government subsidy housing dramatically. As with any successful venture the devil is in the detail and the CMA House is no exception.
ASSOCIATIONS
A CMA House under construction.
The CMA house- better building practice for subsidised housing
First introduced in 2011 by the Concrete Manufacturers Association NPC( CMA), the CMA House is an initiative which, if adopted by the construction industry, will improve the quality and building productivity of government subsidy housing dramatically. As with any successful venture the devil is in the detail and the CMA House is no exception.
By CMA
As of May 2016, South Africa’ s post-1994 government had delivered more than 4.3 million housing and subsidies, benefitting more than 20 million South Africans. The Department of Human Settlements( DHS) is committed to the National Development Plan’ s 2030 vision of transforming human settlements and the spatial economy to create more functionally integrated, balanced and vibrant urban settlements.
The DHS’ s goal is to deliver more than 1.5 million housing opportunities by 2019 as set out in the 2014 to 2019 Medium Term Strategic Framework. It also seeks to ensure, among other things that poor households have access to adequate housing in better living environments.
It is unfortunate but true that very little of the billions invested in subsidised housing is allocated to design and detailing. Maximum profit, rather than delivery excellence appears to be the main motivation in many of subsidised projects. Minimum standards are often ignored and materials are sourced strictly on price.
The results are inevitable; poorly constructed houses which either have to be rebuilt or repaired at considerable expense.
The CMA has always held that shoddy construction practice is inexcusable and easily avoidable.
“ Low-cost should not equate to low quality,” says CMA director Frans Minnaar,“ and the funds allocated to subsidy housing are certainly sufficient to build to minimum standards and better.
See more on page 12.
10
MARCH- APRIL 2017
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING