Sod turning celebration: City breaks ground at Belhar Infill housing project

23 June 2026

The City’s Human Settlements Directorate has broken ground at the Belhar Infill Housing Project, marking an important step forward for the Belhar community’s housing needs. The development will deliver 216 housing opportunities to qualifying beneficiaries.

‘The Belhar Infill housing project represents more than just the construction of homes for residents. It is about creating opportunities for beneficiaries and their families to be closer to essential services, public transport routes, schools, tertiary education institutions, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Well located housing opportunities are critical in building inclusive communities and improving the lives of residents and the need for housing has been expressed by the community. As a City, we are pleased to be able to provide some relief in terms of the housing need.

‘The civil engineering portion of the project is expected to be completed by November 2026, with the top structures scheduled for completion in June 2028, if all goes according to plan. We remain committed to our delivery and to ensuring that residents have access to safe, secure and dignified homes. There are always competing needs in our communities, and the need for dignified housing and secure tenure remains a top demand.

‘The Belhar Infill Housing project sod-turning ceremony is a celebration of progress, partnership and the delivery of much-needed housing opportunities for residents who need them most. Our Directorate is excited to see the development take shape and we look forward to welcoming the first future residents to their new homes,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Carl Pophaim.

Housing opportunities across the metro:

The City has several housing projects of different types at various stages currently under way across the metro.

Importantly, the City hands over opportunities as they are completed and we are doing all we can to provide housing opportunities to those who need them most.

Beneficiaries of City housing projects are selected in accordance with the City's Housing Allocation Policy and Housing Needs Register to ensure housing opportunities are made available in a fair and transparent manner that prevents queue jumping and to those who qualify for housing as per the South African legislation.

Caption 1: Councillor Carl Pophaim with City teams at the Belhar Infill Housing project site.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office