After being plagued by some delays, among them, alleged extortion by contractors, the City’s Sir Lowry Pass affordable housing project is making steady progress and is expected to be completed in mid-2024 if all goes as planned.
The project will provide 307 housing opportunities for qualifying beneficiaries.
Also read: Mayor calls for clampdown on extortionists blocking housing projects
Councillor Malusi Booi, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, and officials from the City’s Human Settlements Directorate recently visited the site to check on its progress.
The project has been delayed, among other things, due to alleged contractor extortion. This is one of many city housing projects impacted by this phenomenon across the metro.
The City approved a R15 million top-up budget for additional security at housing construction sites in the January 2023 Adjustments Budget.
If everything goes as planned, this housing project should be completed by mid-2024. The R101 million in spending covers bulk earthworks, internal civil engineering services for water, sanitation and roads, electricity reticulation and street lighting, and free-standing and semi-detached duplex units.
“The City condemns in the strongest terms any attempts of intimidation, interference or attacks on City staff and contractors while on site. We are committed to providing affordable homes to residents in areas in the metro, and the safety of members of staff and contractors remains of utmost consideration at all times. The City will not allow criminals to hold our communities and affordable housing projects hostage, and we appeal to residents to help us and to report these perpetrators to the SAPS,” said Councillor Booi.
Beneficiaries of this project will be chosen in accordance with the City’s housing allocation policy and housing needs register to ensure that housing opportunities are made available in a fair and transparent manner, preventing queue jumping, and to those who qualify for housing in accordance with South African legislation. Beneficiaries are being contacted by the City.
Residents can provide anonymous tip-offs if they are aware of illegal activity that is occurring, has occurred, or is about to occur.
Dial 112 from a cell phone (toll-free), 107 from a landline, or 021 480 7700.
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Picture: City of Cape Town