After many construction delays over the years, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements has begun relocating 235 informal settlement residents and their families to their new homes in Boystown, Nyanga. The Department started the relocation process on December 2 and have already moved over 90 families, while the remaining families are to be moved by December 15.
According to the Department, the Boystown Housing Project commenced in 2010 and will deliver a total of 1,549 units when completed. The current phase of the project (Phase 3) includes a total of 432 units, of which more than 120 houses and 65 service sites were completed and handed over to recipients during July 2020.
The Department says the project is an in-site upgrading project, which means that informal settlement residents had to be relocated off the construction path in order for construction to commence, and are then returned to their new homes as construction phases are completed.
The project also forms part of the greater N2 Gateway Housing Project and is approximately 2 kilometres from Cape Town International Airport. This specific project has, however, experienced many delays over the years which hampered the delivery of completed units to residents.
Acting Head of Department, Ms Phila Mayisela said that moving residents into completed homes before mid-December is vital in order to avoid illegal occupation and vandalism of completed, empty units over the festive period.
“In considering the various challenges this project experienced, the Department is not only encouraged with the steady progress on site at present but also pleased that many deserving beneficiaries can take occupation of their new homes before Christmas this year. For many beneficiaries, it has been a very long journey to receiving their homes,” Mayisela said.
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