| Boost for Woodstock, affordable housing as City starts public engagement on plans for Woodstock Hospital site | Boost for Woodstock, affordable housing as City starts public engagement on plans for Woodstock Hospital site | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>The City has kicked off the public participation process for its Woodstock Hospital site, envisaged to boost the local Woodstock area through the regeneration and investment into this site, as well as to unlock critical affordable housing.<br></p> | <div>‘The public participation period runs between 27 September and 27 November 2024 and we are so eager to hear from our residents, the Woodstock community as well as interested and affected parties. <br></div><div><br></div><div>‘With some 10 000 opportunities for affordable rental housing opportunities in the pipeline in urban centres across Cape Town, we firmly believe that our plans for this site as a mixed use market and affordable housing development will be a game-changer, bringing much-needed affordable housing, and an economic boost to this area. </div><div> </div><div>‘The total extent of the property, valued at approximately R87 million, including a potential residential development yield of approximately 500 units, comprising open market and social housing, will be disposed of subject to the provision of affordable housing. All due process is being followed in ensuring we progress definitively on this long awaited development. <br></div><div><br></div><div>‘We look forward to a constructive and meaningful public participation process on this valuable project. My directorate has worked hard against so many obstacles and complexities, including the unlawful occupation and hi-jacking of the building, to move the project toward this point. The illegal occupation of the Woodstock Hospital site has been the single biggest delay to this development. </div><div><br></div><div>‘The City will conduct engagements with the unlawful occupants as part of the broad public participation process to be undertaken for the disposal of the property. The response for the existing occupants will be dependent on the socio-economic profile of the households. The City intends to engage the households on the options available to them to determine the appropriate response for each household in terms of Council policy and legislation.</div><div><br></div><div>‘The City is a pioneer in progressive land release and packaging for affordable housing opportunities near urban centres around the metro. It is seen by many organisations, even among lobby groups, as one of the most progressive governments in SA especially as it pertains to land and development packaging to unlock social and affordable housing.</div><div> </div><div>‘We are serious about delivery. We are serious about accelerating affordable housing provision to our residents. And we will Build Cape Town, Together,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Carl Pophaim. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Background </strong></div><div>Following the Western Cape Government’s announcement that social housing would be developed at Woodstock Hospital, which was to be sold to the City, these properties were subject to orchestrated building hi-jackings. </div><div> </div><div>The building hi-jacking was followed by subsequent calls for financial contributions to "sustain and build" the illegal occupation. </div><div> </div><div>In October 2018, the Western Cape High Court granted the City an order interdicting and restraining Reclaim the City from ‘inciting persons to enter or be upon the property for the purpose of unlawfully occupying or invading.’ This marked the start of sustaining the facility management and accelerating the planning for affordable housing.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>How to participate in the public comment period</strong></div><div><strong>Comments, recommendations and input may be submitted by: </strong></div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Email: Affordable.Housing@capetown.gov.za</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Online: www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Assistance</strong></div><div>The City’s Public Participation Unit will assist people who cannot read or write, people living with disabilities and people from disadvantaged groups who are unable to submit written comments to have their objections recorded and submitted to the City. For general public participation and disadvantaged groups, contact 021 400 9825 or email LeanetteAnathi.Dywili@capetown.gov.za.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>End</strong></div><div><br><br></div><p><br></p> | 2024-09-28T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#a4eccbe6-2bec-49aa-ad58-8ed41a372c82;L0|#0a4eccbe6-2bec-49aa-ad58-8ed41a372c82|housing;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#0d8b7293-a214-43fa-80da-d843dd6f8e82;L0|#00d8b7293-a214-43fa-80da-d843dd6f8e82|human settlements;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#3ea72323-aacb-4ec5-b16a-f187107de423;L0|#03ea72323-aacb-4ec5-b16a-f187107de423|social housing;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
