The City’s Human Settlements Mayoral Committee Member, Councillor Carl Pophaim, and officials from the directorate have marked a significant moment today by handing over 10 new Breaking New Ground (BNG) Dido Valley homes to eligible beneficiaries from the Redhill informal settlement.
This housing project, valued at R170 million, is set to make a lasting impact, providing not only shelter but also hope and healing.
The Simon’s Town project boasts a total of 600 housing opportunities, with 500 dedicated to subsidised Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses for the Redhill beneficiaries and an additional 100 houses for Luyolo land claimants.
Councillor Pophaim, brimming with enthusiasm, shared his thoughts on the endeavour.
‘I am so excited to be here today at this beautiful and meaningful housing project. This housing project not only empowers beneficiaries as first-time homeowners, but it also brings together a community that was so tragically severed.’
‘This is a very real example of redress and restitution in action and of our dedication to building an improved future for those who bore the brunt of the apartheid policies. The Luyolo claimants have also been receiving their homes as they’ve been completed.’
‘This well-located project also enables and unlocks affordable housing in this area for residents who are among the most vulnerable in the metro.’
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The project is well underway and is expected to be completed by June 2025, provided that the progress continues as planned. Councillor Pophaim expressed his gratitude to the communities, City teams and project steering committees for their dedication to advancing this important initiative.
The bulk of the BNG beneficiaries are drawn from the Redhill informal settlement, strategically located between Simon’s Town and Scarborough. Their allocation aligns with housing policies.
Meanwhile, the Luyolo land claimant beneficiaries, who were forcibly displaced from Simon’s Town during the mid-1960s under apartheid’s Group Areas Act, are also receiving their well-deserved homes as part of this endeavour. The project is supported by a combined organisation representing both groups of beneficiaries, Redhill and Luyolo.
Beneficiaries of City housing projects are selected in strict accordance with the City’s Housing Allocation Policy and Housing Needs Register.
This approach ensures that housing opportunities are fairly and transparently allocated, preventing queue-jumping and extending housing assistance to those who qualify under South African legislation.
Additionally, the City encourages residents to report any illegal activities, such as vandalism or attempted unlawful occupation, through anonymous tip-offs. You can reach out by dialling 112 from your cell phone (toll-free) or 107 from a landline, and for emergencies, call 021 480 7700.
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Picture: City of Cape Town