Mellon plans house factory for Cape’s homeless

PHILANTHROPIST Niall Mellon has revealed plans to build the world’s first charity house factory which be believes can be used as a model to eradicated shanty-towns in developing countries.

The Dubliner has been granted a 30-year lease on a site in Cape Town where his charity will produce 5,000 timber-framed houses a year for those currently living in shacks around the city.

He said if he could source enough funding he envisaged operating a necklace of similar factories wherever people did not have proper accommodation.

At a cost of €15 million a year, the factories will require only 25 skilled staff and will be modelled on the Century Homes’ techniques.

Last month, 40-year-old Mr Mellon presented his plans to a group of leading American philanthropic organisations and he said the initial response was very encouraging.

However, he said the strategy needed long-term backers.

He is also trying to convince the Government to invest in his strategy through its development arm, Irish Aid.

“In the five years we have been operating we have only had a cheque for a quarter of a million from Irish Aid but I think now they appreciate the effort and sprit of volunteerism that goes along with this work,” he said.

Mr Mellon was speaking after a press conference with South African media where he demanded local developers play their part in providing social housing.

He said South Africa needed to take a much harder line with the leaders of its construction industry.

“There is no point building middle-income and high-income homes when poor people don’t even have somewhere to live.

“I realise this will not make me mister popular with property developers but it really is not up to the government it is up to them,” he said.

He also supported Cape Town’s mayor, Helen Zille, who pleaded with FIFA to change the demands it placed on underdeveloped countries who are awarded the World Cup, as South Africa has been for 2010.

“The way FIFA operates, it is the host country who pays the bills and FIFA takes the profits, all we can do is try to help our entrepreneurs take some profits when the event is taking place,” Ms Zille said.