Today, the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, joined by the Provincial Minister of Transport and Public Works, Daylin Mitchell, the Provincial Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers, and Malusi Booi from the City of Cape Town, officially handed over the first social housing units at Conradie Park mixed-use development.
The R3 billion project, 22-hectare former Conradie Hospital site in Pinelands was identified as a suitable location for the pilot or ‘exemplar’ for the Better Living Model which was designed to create 3 500 residentially-led, mixed-use, mixed-income housing opportunities close to the Cape Town CBD where people can live, work, play and learn.
This redress has been achieved through enabling and making available well-located state-owned land for affordable, integrated residentially-led development by the private sector.
Construction of the first phase of the social housing part of the project started in August 2020 and will, when completed, consist of 432 units located in four blocks. The Western Cape Government today handed over the 66 completed units in the first block. The remaining units are expected to be occupied by April 2022.
The Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, said: “The handover of the first social housing units in Conradie Park development is reason to celebrate, and a day we have all looked forward to. Located between Pinelands, Maitland, and Goodwood, the project includes residential, commercial and retail properties. It will play a pivotal role in addressing Apartheid-spatial planning by providing social-housing close to economic opportunities in our city.”
Premier Winde continued: “Because of its proximity to the Cape Town CBD, it will allow commuters to travel quicker and easier. It will give children the opportunities to access schools and libraries nearby, and it will enable jobseekers to pursue the many opportunities on offer in our city. It is also an important investment in infrastructure at a time when we need to kick-start our economy and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to setting out our focus on infrastructure in my State of the Province Address which will take place in Velddrif in just 11 days.”
Transport and Public Works Minister, Daylin Mitchell said: “Today we are celebrating the realisation of projects that integrate our communities. It has not been an easy road to travel to get to this point, but we made it through the hard work of our dedicated team over the past few years. Infrastructure projects such as the Conradie development are critical enablers of not only our economy and of our efforts aimed at moving beyond the current economic crisis, but also of connecting and enabling our communities to access opportunities with dignity. I am pleased with the progress made thus far. This is the beginning of many good things to come.”
Human Settlements Minister, Tertuis Simmers said: “The more we create affordable housing opportunities close to economic opportunities, the more we can address the significant housing needs that exist in the Western Cape. The reality is that there are many residents who require assistance from the State, but due to their household income being above the R3500 threshold, they do not qualify for full State assistance. The realization of these types of housing opportunities, therefore, allows us to assist our people with a dignified and affordable home that also enables them to have better access to the economy. Today we’re demonstrating what a caring government does for its people.”
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