The Western Cape’s delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) praised the provincial government’s and City of Cape Town’s social housing projects as exemplary models of effective collaboration that provide residents with decent, dignified accommodation, reports Cape {town} Etc.
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The City briefed the Western Cape (WC) NCOP on Wednesday on the state of social housing in the city.
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According to the City, ten affordable social housing projects, totalling 4 849 residential units, have been completed between 2017 and 2024.
The City adds that six more land parcels have been awarded as part of the land release programme for affordable mixed social housing, out of which 4 268 housing opportunities are expected to be completed by 2028.
The delegation learned that additional land parcels are in the planning and release stage, expected to create around 20 000 future housing opportunities.
The delegation visited three completed social housing projects on Wednesday, highlighting the Conradie Better Living Model Exemplar Project in Pinelands, which offers 1004 affordable rental units starting at R740 per month.
Built on land owned by PRASA, it now houses more tenants than the entire population of Pinelands.
The Maitland Mews development features 204 social housing units aimed at addressing the City’s urgent need for centrally located residences.
With a total cost of R95 953 055, monthly rents range from R650 for a bachelor unit to R4 900 for a two-bedroom unit.
The Goodwood Station Social Housing Project began tenanting its 1055 units in December 2023 and August 2024, respectively.
Water and bulk services are fully subsidised, and tenants also benefit from the indigent electricity subsidy.
In light of this, the delegation questioned the City about its stringent and exclusionary letting procedures, urging a more inclusive approach to benefit a wider range of residents.
The City currently has 410 000 applicants on its waiting list of indigent people needing social housing.
WC NCOP leader Rikus Badenhorst suggested that other municipalities could learn from the City’s model for managing intergovernmental cooperation and public-private partnerships.
However, the department warned that funding shortages, lack of cross-subsidy, and political support may hinder similar projects in the planning phase. Ongoing projects are also underway in Oudtshoorn, George, Knysna, Worcester, Stellenbosch, and other areas across the province.
The City recommended exploring alternative funding mechanisms for affordable housing beyond government subsidies, which may not be sustainable.
It also suggested devolving the Consolidated Capital Grant funding to municipalities for local administration.
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