Nyda Welcomes Housing Restriction

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has welcomed the age restriction set by the Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu for access to free public housing.

“Allowing youth below the age of 35 to access free housing will only create further dependency and negate efforts at national development and building a productive youth population,” NYDA Executive Chairperson Yershen Pillay said.

Minister Sisulu recently announced that people under the age of 40 years would not qualify to receive free public housing from the government.

“The Minister is correct to argue that priority must be given to the elderly but priority should also be given to the creation of opportunities for youth,” Pillay said.

She said the Department of Human Settlements implements a YouthBuild Infrastructure Development Programme in partnership with the NYDA.

The programme enrols thousands of youth across the country to build and maintain community amenities and RDP houses.

“These young people are involved in a YouthBuild programme for one year and then receive...