Cape Town's shortage of affordable rental accommodation - what the City is doing

John Maytham talks to Alderman Eddie Andrews about the City's proposals.

There is a dire and growing need for affordable rental accommodation in Cape Town.

To encourage its growth, the City is proposing amendments and new provisions to the Municipal Planning By-law (MPBL) that regulates development and land use.

One of the proposals provides for the development of affordable rental flats as an additional use right in selected residential areas across Cape Town. (Click here for maps showing 194 target areas)

The City says the intention is to encourage micro- and small developers to invest in these areas where the demand for affordable rental accommodation is greatest.  

The revised MPBL is now available for comment - residents and interested  parties can provide input up until 23 September.

John Maytham gets some background from Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews, who is the Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment.

Andrews says there's a massive shortfall of approximately 30 000 units per annum, in terms of both the public and the private sector yield.

"There's a great need for housing opportunities. Government will not necessarily satisfy that and we need to ourselves."

"With the proposed by-law amendments we're offering additional land in two single residential zoning categories where the property owner is now able to build a minimum of three up to a maximum of 12 units on their property."

Eddie Andrews, Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment

Coupled with this, would be the financial partnership the City will be able to secure with institutions that'll borrow equity for property owners to build the units, and also help them with tenant management.

"This is happening in some areas already, but the problem is it's happening unlawfully."

"We asked the question why that was and it's because the zoning scheme does not allow for it; hence the need for reform on our side."

Eddie Andrews, Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment

Click here for the details on submitting your comments.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview with Andrews