R12,7m public housing staircase upgrade project progressing well

13 June 2023

The City’s R12,7 million public housing staircase upgrade project has passed the halfway mark. The current upgrading of 32 rental stock staircases aims to improve the safety of tenants when accessing their rental homes. 

Today, 13 June 2023, the City's Acting Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Alderman James Vos, and officials within the Human Settlements Directorate visited Agate Court in Lotus River where staircases are being replaced.

'I am so pleased to see the outstanding work which is being done in Lotus River and across the metro at our Community Residential Units (CRUs). Some 32 existing staircases are being replaced with precast concrete and steel staircases as part of the upgrading project at our Community Residential Units (CRUs) as part of the R12,7 m upgrading project at our CRUs central regions including Parkwood, Lotus River, Lavender Hill, Cafda Village and Ocean View. More than R7m has already been spent on upgrading staircases as part of this project. 

public housing staircase upgrade project progressing well

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'Internal public housing teams are also attending to repairs on staircases in other areas such as Manenberg ahead of the staircase replacement programme being rolled out further. Overall the City will spend more than R1,2 billion over the next three years on upgrades and maintenance to CRUs.

'I was able to see for myself the staircases currently being upgraded. The safety of our tenants is a priority and I am thrilled to have seen the enhancement of our tenants' lives via the upgrading of the staircases. Importantly, I was able to engage with residents and listen to their concerns. I would like to thank our residents who are temporarily inconvenienced while this essential work is under way. We really do appreciate your patience.

'Due to the large volume of service requests, it is our priority to attend to the most urgent repairs first so that we ensure the safety of our tenants when they access their homes. There are a few things that have the ability to transform lives in the way that dignified, secure housing can and it is a responsibility I am taking extremely seriously,' said Alderman Vos.

The majority of repair work required at our public housing units is unfortunately due to vandalism.

If tenants have any safety concerns regarding their units and staircases, they are encouraged to please contact the Human Settlements Directorate.

Log a service request: Human Settlements Directorate's Call Centre: 021 444 0333 or send a WhatsApp to 063 299 9927
   

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office