The prospectus for the development of affordable, social, and inclusionary housing opportunities on 11 City-owned sites in Salt River, Woodstock, and the inner-city was issued this morning, 29 September 2017. Read more below:
Residents and interested parties are encouraged to access the document here: https://goo.gl/NBoCWc.
‘On 18 July this year at an affordable housing conference in town, I said that where people live matters. I made a commitment then that we will make every effort to expedite the delivery of affordable housing opportunities and that we will ensure these are located close to work and public transport.
‘The issuing of the prospectus this morning for the development of affordable and inclusionary housing opportunities in the Salt River, Woodstock, and inner-city precinct is the first step in honouring this commitment. These 11 City-owned sites – five of which will be made available to the private sector for development – are less than 5 km away from the Cape Town CBD.
‘Developing prime land for lower-income residents in Cape Town is a momentous occasion. It marks a break with our apartheid past where poorer families are confined to the city’s fringes, far away from economic opportunities. We estimate that approximately 4 000 lower-income households – these are households with a monthly income of between R3 501 and R15 000 – will move into these units as they are completed and become available,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development, Councillor Brett Herron.
The prospectus provides a strategic overview of what the City envisions for the sites.
‘We want the developments on these sites to contain a mix of income groups. In so doing, we can create integrated communities. Another important aspect is that we want to see tenure-blind designs. Meaning, the housing units should be of similar design, quality, and architecture throughout the development, irrespective of the target market and income group,’ said Councillor Herron.
Bidders must submit their proposals for the sites by 27 February 2018. The proposals will be screened by the Bid Evaluation Committee and those that meet the conditions will be open for public viewing and voting.
‘We will host an exhibition where the residents and interested parties will be able to see what the bidders are proposing for each site. The public will have the opportunity to vote for their preferred housing developments. Thus, we will take the opinion of residents into account when we evaluate the proposals that we have received from the private sector,’ said Councillor Herron.
The developments must be financially sustainable in the long-term, taking into account the operational and maintenance costs over a period of at least 30 years.
‘We have set a minimum requirement for the number of social housing units for each site. The use of alternative building material and green technologies is also encouraged. We must save water and electricity and reduce our impact on our natural resources as more people move to the city for a better life,’ said Councillor Herron.
The City will follow a partnership approach where we will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders and, most importantly, with the people who currently live and work in Woodstock and Salt River.
‘This is a long-term commitment. We need our residents, the private sector, and non-governmental organisations in the housing realm to support us.
‘I have had various meetings with residents’ associations and interest groups in Woodstock and Salt River the past weeks. I have also received many letters. One of the key concerns raised is that affordable housing developments may have a negative influence on property prices and the overall character of these neighbourhoods.
‘The sites that we have identified for these developments are derelict, unused and an eyesore. We, together with the private sector, intend to invest millions of rands in these sites. This investment will significantly contribute to the regeneration of Woodstock and Salt River in general, and will assist in halting the urban decay that has characterised certain parts of these neighbourhoods. Most importantly, however, by developing these sites we are beginning to create a new urban fabric based on access and inclusivity for all – these count among the key priorities listed in the City’s Organisational Development and Transformation Plan,’ said Councillor Herron.
Local residents and business owners from these neighbourhoods, as well as those who wish to benefit from the new affordable housing opportunities, are encouraged to visit the public information days at the Cape Town Science Centre in Observatory this weekend, or to read the prospectus online.
‘There is also a video with comments from local residents, role players in the housing sector, the City’s Executive Mayor and myself, explaining what we envision for the precinct and how this will assist us in reversing the legacy of apartheid spatial planning,’ said Councillor Herron.