Every voice must be heard: Public engagement period for Woodstock Hospital affordable housing site extended
26 November 2024
STATEMENT BY THE CITY’S MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, COUNCILLOR CARL POPHAIM
I’m pleased to announce that the public participation period on the Woodstock Hospital site has been extended to 31 January 2025 and I am so excited by the robust engagement around the City’s affordable housing agenda, particularly the inputs that have been critically constructive.
We remain dedicated to our globally recognised affordable housing programme and ensuring we deliver to those who need it most.
Through our flagship priority land release programme, the City has in the last two years released land parcels offering over 4 000 residential opportunities now available for affordable development and we have a portfolio of approximately 5 000 constructed and completed Social Housing units in well-located areas across the metro.
The initial end date for engagement was 27 November 2024. The initial public participation process currently under way was extended from the mandatory statutory requirement of 30 days to 60 days, from 27 September to 27 November 2024, in recognition of the diverse stakeholders with an interest in the future development of the property. And now the City is extending the period further.
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.
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.
I have pushed for an extension as we look forward to some further meaningful public participation on this valuable project. My directorate has worked hard against so many obstacles, including the unlawful occupation and hi-jacking of the building, as well as having to traverse the very complex regulatory and legal environment that governs public property disposal and affordable housing development. The illegal occupation of the Woodstock Hospital site has been the single biggest delay to this development.
We will continue to conduct engagements with the unlawful occupants as part of the broad public participation process for the disposal of the property. The response to the existing occupants is dependent on the socio-economic profile of the households. The City is engaging the households on the options available to them to determine the appropriate response for each household in terms of Council policy and legislation.
This 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 South Africa, especially as it pertains to land and development packaging to unlock social and affordable housing.
We are truly Building Cape Town, Together.
Background
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.
The building hi-jacking was followed by subsequent calls for financial contributions to "sustain and build" the illegal occupation.
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.
The public participation extension will be formally advertised in terms of statutory requirements on 29 November 2024.
How to participate in the public comment period
Comments, recommendations and input may be submitted by:
• Email: Affordable.Housing@capetown.gov.za
• Online: www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
Assistance
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.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
