‘Most old-age homes are too expensive’: Pensioner speaks out
· The South African
Grant beneficiaries have raised the alarm over what they describe as an impossible wait for affordable old-age housing, with one commenter warning that the system is failing pensioners before they ever reach the front of the queue.
Facebook commenter Maggie Boshoff laid out the core of the problem facing pensioners: “If we can just get reasonable housing it will help! Most old age homes are too expensive and those that take SASSA pensioners, have waiting lists of years and so much red tape.” Her comment points to a widening gap between the cost of private old age care and what SASSA grants can realistically afford.
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‘Waiting Lists of Years’: The Red Tape Trap for Pensioners
According to Boshoff, the bureaucracy involved in accessing subsidised housing for pensioners is so extensive that many beneficiaries may never see the benefit of it.
She warned bluntly: “We will all be dead by the time that housing becomes available.” The comment captures a deep frustration among older grant recipients who feel that policy promises are arriving too slowly to matter.
‘Backrooms And Tents’: Life While Waiting
In the meantime, Boshoff says pensioners are left with few options. “Till then it’s backrooms and tents for us,” she wrote, painting a stark picture of the living conditions many grant recipients face while waiting for formal housing support to materialise.
Fellow commenter Fierosia Fortune added a show of support for advocacy efforts with the comment “Go POSA GO,” referencing pensioner rights organisations pushing for reform.
The thread reflects a broader concern among SASSA beneficiaries that housing support has not kept pace with the realities of ageing on a fixed income, with pensioners calling for faster processing, reduced red tape, and realistic subsidy options that match what grants can actually afford.
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