On Thursday, 5 November 2020, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, visited The Downs housing project in Manenberg to check on its progress. The project, which will provide housing opportunities to 587 beneficiaries at a cost of R77 million, is expected to be completed by mid-2022, if all goes according to plan.
The Downs is located on five different sites in Manenberg. Once completed, it will consist of 587 Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses and we have already completed 314 units.
‘The City is working hard to provide housing opportunities to more residents who qualify for housing opportunities. This project is an example of the City’s commitment to providing affordable housing on suitable land in and near urban centres. As a caring City, we recognise the need for housing opportunities that are situated on well-located land near urban centres across the metro, close to public transport, employment opportunities and economic nodes. All five sites are close to Govan Mbeki Road which is a major transport route to and from Cape Town and the southern suburbs. The housing project is also close to a library, schools, community halls and open spaces.
‘The selection of beneficiaries for all of our housing projects is done in accordance with the City’s Allocation Policy and the City’s Housing Needs Register to ensure that housing opportunities are allocated to qualifying beneficiaries in a fair and equitable manner that prevents queue-jumping. The accommodation need in Cape Town is pronounced and we will only succeed by following a systematic approach of first come, first served.
‘We are looking at all options to see how we can enable the delivery of housing opportunities to our beneficiaries on a larger scale through greater innovation and private public partnerships. We need national housing reform, innovation and greater partnerships with the private sector if we are going to keep up with the enormous demand for housing opportunities. Our draft Human Settlements Strategy proposes a number of interventions. We encourage members of the public to read through it and to have their say during the public participation process,’ said Councillor Booi.