Cape Town’s Largest Social Housing Project Overcomes Heritage Hurdle

by
1 min read
a f

Cape Town has received heritage approval for its most ambitious inner-city social housing project at the former Woodstock Hospital. This project is set to provide around 700 much-needed housing units to the city’s residents and marks a significant milestone for the project, allowing for the progression of design and submission of building plans.

Affordable Housing Land Release

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis expressed his enthusiasm for the heritage approval of the Woodstock Hospital project, highlighting that this development is part of a broader effort to provide over 1,300 social housing units across five inner city land parcels, with the aim of releasing several more by the end of 2023.

The city has made significant strides in releasing land for social housing development, with several sites receiving critical City Council land release approvals, including Newmarket Street, Salt River Market, Pickwick, Fruit and Veg, and Earl Street. Moreover, the City has supported the Western Cape Government’s Conradie Park development in Pinelands, as well as the Province’s Founder’s Garden precinct in the CBD. Overall, Cape Town has a staggering 6,500 social housing units in the planning pipeline across 50 land parcels city-wide.

Challenges and Obstacles

Inadequate national subsidies, unlawful occupation of project sites, and Cape Town’s largest and best-located properties being under national government ownership have all posed obstacles in the way of delivering affordable housing. The Woodstock Hospital project faces a unique challenge of building hijackings, with the ongoing unlawful occupation of the property being the primary obstacle for this social housing project.

Resolving Unlawful Occupation

Alderman James Vos, acting Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, emphasizes the City’s determination to proceed with the planning and development of social housing while also engaging with unlawful occupants to resolve the situation expeditiously. In early 2017, Ndifuna Ukwazi’s Reclaim the City campaign orchestrated building hijackings at the Woodstock Hospital property and the provincially owned Helen Bowden Nurses Home. In October 2018, the Western Cape High Court granted an order interdicting and restraining Reclaim the City from inciting unlawful occupation of these properties.

By overcoming heritage hurdles and navigating the complex landscape of property ownership and occupation, Cape Town continues to strive towards a more equitable and inclusive urban environment. The Woodstock Hospital development signifies a vital step in addressing the city’s urgent need for affordable housing.

A Russian-Spanish journalist and Cape Town native, channels his lifelong passion for South Africa into captivating stories for his local blog. With a diverse background and 50 years of rich experiences, Serjio's unique voice resonates with readers seeking to explore Cape Town's vibrant culture. His love for the city shines through in every piece, making Serjio the go-to source for the latest in South African adventures.

View all

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

gun violence cape flats
Previous Story

Gun Violence Plagues Cape Flats Region in Cape Town

waste management community struggles
Next Story

A Community’s Struggle: Uncollected Garbage in Doornbach Informal Settlement

Latest from Blog

community integration urban infrastructure

The Unveiling of Vygekraal Pedestrian Bridge: A Symbol of Progress

The unveiling of the Vygekraal pedestrian bridge in Cape Town represents progress, community integration, and safety. The bridge, which connects Kewtown and Bridgetown, provides easy access to schools, colleges, and places of worship. The completion of the bridge was not without its challenges, but it stands as a testament to the collective efforts of residents, officials, and community leaders. The bridge is designed to serve the public, and its purpose is to unify dreams, aspirations, and the shared destiny of its people.

metal theft cape town

The Unrelenting Battle Against Metal Theft: Cape Town’s Exceptional Retrieval of Stolen Cable

Cape Town has been fighting against metal theft, particularly the theft of street lights, with the help of a specialized team called the “Copperheads.” The team has facilitated the retrieval of over 1,700 kilograms of stolen metal, 53,000 meters of stolen cable, and made 115 arrests, including one that led to a 12year prison sentence. Despite persistent vandalism and theft, the city has been restoring and replacing stolen cables and damaged street lights at an unprecedented rate while intensifying inspections and patrols to bolster antitheft measures. The public has been urged to participate in the fight against metal theft by reaching out to the city’s 24hour tollfree tipoffs line.

city of cape town household survey

Participate in the City Initiative: Leverage the Household Survey to Influence Your Neighbourhood

The City of Cape Town is conducting a household survey to gain insight into the socioeconomic circumstances of different communities, with over half of the targeted 10,000 interviews already completed. Residents can participate to help shape their communities’ future and enhance service delivery. The collected data is confidential and adheres to the Protection of Personal Information Act, and participation is voluntary. Kantar, a data collection agency, is conducting the survey with safety measures in place to ensure legitimacy and minimize privacy intrusion.

eco-friendly water management

**The Otter Weed Harvester: A Breakthrough in Eco-friendly Water Management**

Meet Otter, a weed harvester designed to keep Cape Town’s water bodies healthy and clean. Equipped with underwater blades, it is responsible for controlling the growth of Sago Pondweed, removing algal mats, and refining water quality. Otter is a breakthrough in ecofriendly water management and a triumph of local craftsmanship, contributing to the city’s dedication towards preserving and enhancing its water bodies.

sewer misuse public health

An Unseen Crisis: Sewer Misuse in Cape Town’s Wesbank

The deliberate removal of manhole covers and the addition of foreign objects leads to severe blockages and overflows, posing a dangerous threat to public health and safety. The community must take responsibility and practice responsible waste disposal to protect the vital infrastructure that maintains the city’s health and cleanliness. The city has initiated awareness campaigns and a hotline to report incidents, but residents must also play a significant role in protecting their city’s health.