WC govt urges Parkwood backyard dwellers to register on CoCT housing list

CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape goverment has urged dozens of backyard dwellers in Parkwood to register on the City of Cape Town's housing list for subsidised housing.

Dozens of families living in the backyards of council homes in Parkwood said they'd been promised decent housing for more than 20 years.

ALSO READ: Parkwood backyard dwellers say they've lost hope after being on housing list for more than 20 years

Housing officials said that a new development being planned in the neighbouring Ottery area could offer the backyard dwellers relief.

The Western Cape department of infrastructure said that a housing development being planned for Ottery could yield up to 4,500 residential opportunities, including fully subsidised units.

Spokesperson for provincial minister Tertuis Simmers, Melchior Botes, has urged backyard dwellers living in Parkwood to register on the City of Cape Town's housing demand database.

"The residents of the Parkwood backyarders community are therefore encouraged to register or verify their registration on the housing demand database to ensure that they are eligible to benefit from these projects."

Botes said the development would start within the current financial year.