City of Cape Town launches service to help landowners meet housing needs

The City of Cape Town has launched a new Local Planning Support service to help landowners and small-scale developers build affordable rental properties.

But the plan has not been without its controversy, with some suggesting poorer areas like the Cape Flats and townships are being 'ghetto-ised' by the service.

"Now and then I also get those sorts of responses," says Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews, adding that "essentially, it's a more dignified human settlement.

"If you look at what's currently happening, you have individuals living in a backyard structure or a hokkie or Wendy house, and the services are external to the building."

Andrews says the initiative is designed to improve living conditions by encouraging safe housing instead of informal or illegal structures.

"It's not a slum, it's a more dignified housing opportunity."

The support branch in Langa offers experts to help landowners with the approval process and to understand their land rights.

The City has identified 194 areas for the programme, including parts of Bellville, Delft, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Nyanga and Langa, as well as communities like Mitchells Plain, Strand and Retreat.

Other neighbourhoods include Kraaifontein, Philippi, Lavender Hill and Ocean View.

For property owners, the programme presents an opportunity to generate income while easing the city’s housing shortage.

"The private sector and the financial institutions and the private property owner are now able to assist us in supplementing the City's housing need," explains Andrews.

To listen to Andrews in conversation with CapeTalk's John Maytham, use the audio player below: