Human Settlements

What is the status of the 13 000 low-cost homes to be built in the inner city,

• The 13 000 housing opportunities referred to by the Premier in his 2021 SOPA speech refers to identified pockets of land across the Province, not only in the inner city. 
• These sites are also strategically located close to nodes which are poised for growth and incorporate the necessary linkages to job opportunities, socio-economic facilities and to assist in re-dressing the apartheid spatial planning practices of the past.
• The sites are all at different stages of planning and development as per below: 
  • The Southern Corridor Airport Precinct Project at Gugulethu has reached construction stage at present.
  • The Hout Bay, Philippi and the Overstrand properties are in the achievement of development rights stages at present.
  • Pine Road Development: The Social Housing Institution (SHI), SOHCO, is responsible for this project, which has met the Conditions Precedent requirements of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) in terms of its funding agreement. The detail designs is now being finalised. Construction will commence once Financial Closure has been achieved in terms of the funding agreement.
  • Dillon Lane Development: SOHCO, as the SHI, will commence with further design stages of the project once the City of Cape Town has provided confirmation to proceed.
  • Salt River Market: The rezoning and development plan was approved and a development partner was identified. The next stage is for the City of Cape Town (CCT) Council is to approve the final alienation of the site.
  • Pickwick Road Project: Detailed development rights application is in process at present.  A professional team of consultants has been appointed. Heritage, environmental, rezoning and Site Development Plan SDP applications are in progress.  Advertisement of the Request for Proposals (RFP’s) to occur once in-principle Council approval for land disposal is in place.
  • Woodstock Hospital:  Continuation of this project is subject to the outcome of the legal eviction process. As part of this process, enumeration of the occupants was completed to understand the demand profile and specific housing needs. The process for the appointment of a SHI is underway at present.
  • New Market Street: A professional team was appointed to undertake the rezoning application.  Heritage, environmental, rezoning and SDP applications are expected to be completed within the next 18 months.  Advertisement of the RFP’s to be advertised once in-principle CCT Council approval for the land disposal has been obtained.
  • Helen Bowden Precinct: Development rights are in place. Current discussions are underway between the Department of Public Works and the Department of Human Settlements to craft a solution to the current illegal occupation.  A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is being drafted by the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) for the Belhar project as a possible relocation area for illegal occupants.
  • Fruit and Veg City Site: Mixed-use rights are in place. Reservation of the site is held in abeyance until the land reservation for Social Housing is achieved. 
  • Founders Garden: Development rights were acquired, but a revision thereof is underway. Mixed Use rights are in place. Detailed feasibility is being concluded after which development partners will be appointed.
  • Mandarin Court: Subdivision and street closure are required. Detailed feasibility is underway at present as well as the appointment of consultants.

(b) In what financial year will this project commence and:

• As listed above, each of the projects are in different stages of development at present.
• The Southern Corridor Airport Precinct development has commenced construction, and the other projects listed above are anticipated to be ready for construction when all development rights have been obtained as per the above list. 

(c) From which regions in the province will people be able to apply for said homes.

• Beneficiaries will be sourced from the City of Cape Town’s and local municipality’s approved housing demand database in areas surrounding the proposed developments. 
• Social Housing Institutions will apply its specific tenancy criteria to the original list provided by the City of Cape Town and will also advertise, as placement in a social housing unit requires affordability and credit worthiness assessments, as well as a signed lease agreement.

(2) Whether this housing will be reserved for young professionals employed in the city; if so, what are the relevant details?

• A range of housing typologies is planned, including Social Housing, BNG, and FLISP units. 
• The FLISP units will be available for purchase by the ordinary public, including young professionals, who fall within the respective qualifying FLISP income bracket. 

The Social Housing units will be available for rental to qualifying persons, which also includes young professionals