More land is to be made available for housing developments targeting low-income earners, the City of Cape Town said on Saturday.
The homes will be made available to people who earn too much to qualify for government housing subsidies and too little to take part in the competitive property market, a statement said.
The 10,4ha is in addition to the 42ha already approved by the city for housing for this market.
”The additional land is next to the 3,4ha initially identified in Wallacedene. The seven other tracts of land are at Maitland [0,87ha], Rugby [1,8ha], Westlake [22,1ha], Ottery [2ha], Wetton [6,6ha], Southfield [2,9ha] and Langa [2,4ha].”
Plans for the land form part of an agreement between Cape Town mayor Helen Zille and three commercial banks — Absa, Nedbank and Standard Bank.
”The city has already advertised its intent to release the eight tracts of land and has tasked the participating banks to prepare innovative development plans for each of the eight areas. The banks will present their development proposals to the city in February next year.”
Mayoral committee member for housing Dan Plato said there will be a special focus on backyard dwellers and the lower end of the identified market when allocating the land.
”There is great interest in this alternative approach to affordable housing. The participating banks, contractors and residents have expressed their enthusiasm since council declared its intent to release the land,” said Plato.
”These land parcels are well located in terms of public transport, access to work opportunities, educational facilities and recreational facilities, and can be easily incorporated into the city’s municipal service structure,” he said.
The sizes and prices of units will be determined once the banks have submitted their development plans. — Sapa