City celebrates sod turning at Elsies River Infill housing project
13 March 2026
Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Carl Pophaim, officially launched the well-located Elsies River Infill State-subsidised Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing project with a sod-turning ceremony. The project is located at six sites across the area and will provide housing for 724 qualifying beneficiaries and their families. This important milestone underscores the City’s continued commitment to delivering housing opportunities across the metro and improving the lives of residents.
Elsies River Infill facts: 724 Breaking New Ground houses
Top structures – Phase 1 – 44 units in Florida, Ravensmead
Top structures – Phase 2 – 680 units in Eureka, Connaught and Adriaanse
‘I am elated to have turned the sod at another new housing project at one of its six sites, this one in the Ravensmead area. Other sites are in Adriaanse and Eureka Estate, among others. This project is an example of using the land we have available to the City and really making the most of it. Our largest site will provide 303 units and the smallest just nine. We are indeed a City of Hope and are providing opportunities, bringing dignity through human settlements delivery. The City is delivering opportunities to the people of Cape Town, and we are on a mission to create many new homeowners.
‘The civil services portion of the project has unfortunately been impacted by constant gang battles in the Adriaanse area. The violence is not directed at the contractor, but the shootings are across the sites between the gangs, creating an unsafe working environment for the project team. The contractor is currently providing security on site and to supplement this, the City has deployed Law Enforcement and Metro Police officers and vehicles to the area. These criminals will not be allowed to delay projects and take housing opportunities from those who most need them.
‘The support of the community is vital to protect this project. The City will continue to do everything it can to ensure the beneficiaries receive their opportunities as planned. When we work together with our communities, we can overcome these challenges. The City is committed to seeing this project become a success. We thank all stakeholders for helping us to make a real difference for the residents of Cape Town. I am looking forward to coming here before the end of this year, to celebrate the fruits of your hard work,’ said Councillor Pophaim.
As with all City projects, qualifying beneficiaries are objectively assessed in terms of the Housing Needs Register and the City's Allocation Policy, which is an objective tool, within a fair and independent process.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
