Redhill Community Celebrates a New Chapter with Dido Valley Housing Project

On May 17, 2023, the Redhill informal settlement celebrated a momentous occasion with the City’s Dido Valley housing development. The beneficiaries, along with local dignitaries, received the first keys to their new homes. The project has a budget of R170 million and includes 600 housing opportunities. Five hundred of these homes are subsidized Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses reserved for Redhill beneficiaries, while the remaining 100 homes are designated for Luyolo land claimants.

Pioneers of the Flagship Subsidized Housing and Restitution Project

Alderman James Vos, the City’s Acting Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, presented keys to the initial ten beneficiaries of Dido Valley, who are now the pioneers of this flagship subsidized housing and restitution project. During the ceremony, Vos emphasized the project’s importance, saying, “This project not only empowers beneficiaries as first-time homeowners but also reunites a fractured community.” Vos expressed his gratitude to the communities, City teams, and project steering committees for their unwavering dedication and hard work in advancing this complex project.

Housing Allocation Policies

The majority of the BNG component beneficiaries are from the Redhill informal settlement, which is nestled between Simon’s Town and Scarborough. Their allocation corresponds with housing allocation policies. Luyolo land claimant beneficiaries experienced forced removal from Simon’s Town in the mid-1960s under the apartheid Group Areas Act and were subsequently relocated to Gugulethu. A combined support organization represents both beneficiary groups from Redhill and Luyolo.

A Significant Step Toward a Brighter Future for the Communities

Construction at the site is progressing smoothly, with completion expected by the end of 2024, provided everything goes according to plan. On April 22, the first group of Luyolo land claimants had the opportunity to preview their units and attend a Housing Consumer Education (HCE) session. They are expected to receive their units in the coming weeks. This milestone highlights the positive impact that the Dido Valley housing project has had on the residents of Redhill and Luyolo. With the construction on track and the first keys handed over, the project is a significant step toward a brighter future for these communities.