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Applications now open for Winter Readiness Programme to support shelters

During the colder months, more rough sleepers and vulnerable people seek shelter and assistance.

During the colder months, more rough sleepers and vulnerable people seek shelter and assistance. The City’s Winter Readiness Programme helps shelters respond to this increased demand by providing practical support, including bedding, blankets, hygiene items, food supplies and cleaning materials.The programme is open to qualifying shelters who are able to temporarily increase their bed capacity to deal with the increased demand for the service during winter. The City will also make available staff through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to assist with general and administrative tasks to increase capacity at NGO-partners to accommodate additional clients. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/IMG_0996.JPG" alt="" /> </figure>The Winter Readiness Programme is a core part of the City’s broader approach to reducing rough sleeping, which also includes access to Safe Spaces, a dedicated Street People Unit and public awareness campaigns.In the six months between July and December 2025, the Street People Programme Unit:<ul><li>Received 6 103 service requests and enquiries</li><li>Completed over 5 400 screenings and 9 500 follow-up visits, and</li><li>Facilitated 1 075 placements at shelters or City Safe Spaces. </li></ul>Some rough sleepers engaged in this period have gone on to find employment, including jobs as an e-hailing driver and chef.The Winter Readiness Programme will be implemented between 4 May and 30 October 2026. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/IMG_09mm98.JPG" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure>‘Winter is one of the hardest times for people living on the streets, and we know the pressure this places on our shelters. Through this programme, the City is working with our NGO-partners across Cape Town to provide safe, dignified spaces and practical support. I encourage all eligible shelters to apply so that, together, we can help more residents come in from the cold and access the support they need,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham. Applicants must be registered as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) or a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO). They must also:<ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Have existing facilities to accommodate clients and address their needs through support programmes</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Be compliant with requirements of the Population Certificate (when applying for increase in bed capacity)</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Comply with all health and safety regulations</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Have an approved building plan</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Submit a draft floor plan for the additional temporary bed spaces</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Have a Certificate of Acceptability for Food Premises</div></li></ul>Application forms are available by emailing <a href="mailto:Chantal.Krull@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">Chantal.Krull@capetown.gov.za</a> or at <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/readyforwinter" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/readyforwinter</a> .Caption: Councillor Higham at the handover of aid at an event in 2025. End

2026-02-17T22:00:00Z

Innovative affordable housing tenders worth R36,3 million issued for first-time buyers

As part of the City’s drive to enable more access to affordable housing opportunities on well-located land across the metro, it has issued two new tenders

‘Our accelerated land release for affordable housing opportunities programme brings bankable, investment-ready, packaged and rezoned properties to the market. The latest release of tenders to the value of some R36,3 million offers development opportunities at discounted land costs to enhance the attractiveness and viability of potential developments to the private sector. ‘These latest tenders are very exciting as it is an innovative way to enable city-wide affordable housing access. The tenders present an opportunity for development on fully-serviced sites in Bardale and Robinvale targeted at home buyers. The development mix is a combination of First Home Finance (FHF) housing and affordable ownership opportunities tailored for mid-income first-time homeowner-households. ‘The City’s Affordable Housing programme provides opportunities to households earning less than the market aligned inflation adjusted monthly income of R34 400 to cater more realistically to housing demand trends.’ ‘The City's game changing land price discounts applied on its affordable housing portfolio fosters greater market participation by reducing the barriers of entry into the Cape Town market,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Carl Pophaim. New tenders – closing date for tender submissions: 10 April 2026 Bardale - serviced stands on various erven (unregistered portions of remainder Erf 41962) on serviced stands, Blue Downs The proposal entails the development of an estimated 140 mid-income Affordable and FHF housing opportunities on fully serviced stands. Mixed neighbourhood primed for public transport–linked densification and value growth. Bulk services are accessible. Environmental and heritage compliant. Robinvale – serviced stands on various erven (unregistered portions of remainder Erf 6296 and unregistered portions of remainder Erf 4302) Robinvale, Wesfleur The proposal entails the development of an estimated 116 mid-income Affordable and FHF housing opportunities on fully serviced stands. It is located within the growing northern suburb and has a strong alignment with FHF housing market demand. Environmental and heritage compliant. All information is on the City’s tender portal on <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za</a> Previous tenders issued: Closing date for submissions by 10:00 on Tuesday, 17 March 2026 • Enslin, Ottery Erven 1291 and 1292 and Remainder 1293, 1294, 1295, 1296, 1297, 1298, 1299 and 1300, Ottery. The proposal entails the development of a residential security estate with an estimated 375 residential units in buildings ranging from two- to four-storeys, providing a mix of affordable housing and market related rental accommodation. • Lansdowne - Erven 62594 and portion of Remainder 58699 (unconstructed Lansta Road) situated at the corner of Smuts and Ruby Roads, Lansdowne. The proposal entails the development of a residential security estate with an estimated 308 residential units arranged in four-storey buildings, providing a mix of affordable housing and market related rental accommodation. • Eaon Way - Remainder Erf 3423 situated at 220 Buiten Street, Northpine. The proposed development of a residential security estate with an estimated 396 affordable rental housing units accommodated in two- to four-storey buildings, together with 34 housing ownership opportunities in two-storey buildings, as well as approximately 800 m² in size of retail floor space. • Ruwari - Erf 9702 situated at 10 Affodil Street, Ruwari Brackenfell. The proposed development of a residential security estate with an estimated 115 affordable rental housing units accommodated in two- to three-storey buildings, together with 30 housing ownership opportunities in two-storey buildings, as well as approximately 60 m² in size of retail floor space. Note on the general legal frameworks applicable All due process and the required public participation processes are followed as and when required in terms of various distinct pieces of legislation. It must be noted that there are two main legislative processes at play. In the City of Cape Town, LUMS (Land Use Management System) refers to the City’s legal framework that regulates zoning, development rights, and land-use approvals. It is implemented through the Cape Town Municipal Planning By-law (2025) and aligned with the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA). It carries its own requirements and public participation and due process. The other legislative process in this case is the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations (MATR) – these two processes MATR and LUMS are separate and independent. One can occur without the other. They are not the same process. For information on all tenders mentioned above, please contact: <a href="mailto:affordable.housing@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">affordable.housing@capetown.gov.za</a>

2026-02-17T22:00:00Z

Good start to the week for Neighbourhood Safety officers

The City’s Metro Police Neighbourhood Safety Officers (NSOs) continue to make strides in communities in the fight against crime.

The NSOs are tasked with by-law enforcement, traffic enforcement and general crime prevention duties. Some of the most recent successes include arrests for the illegal possession of drugs, ammunition and driving under the influence of alcohol On Monday, 16 February 2026, officers were busy with by-law enforcement at the corner of Jake’s Gerwel and Klipfontein Roads, Heideveld. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/NSOs%2018226.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure>Officers noticed two men who looked suspicious and conducted a search of the backpack of one of them and discovered 26 rounds of ammunition. The 34-year-old male then attempted to flee, but was quickly apprehended by the officers, and detained at Manenberg SAPS for the illegal possession of ammunition.On the same day, officers arrested a scholar transport driver for driving under the influence of alcohol in Bonteheuwel. They saw the driver of a red minibus disobeying a stop sign and when he was pulled over, officers smelled alcohol.He admitted to drinking and a breathalyser test confirmed a reading of 0,24mg per 1000ml. The 34-year-old driver was arrested and detained at Bishop Lavis SAPS for driving under the influence of alcohol. The owner of the minibus was contacted to collect the nine learners who were in the minibus at the time.On Tuesday, 17 February 2026, officers on patrol at the Tienie Meyer Underpass informal settlement in Long Street Bellville, noticed a female acting suspiciously. Officers stopped the suspect and a search revealed one bag and 16 packets of dagga with the street value of R20 000. The 18-year-old female was arrested and detained at Bellville SAPs for the possession of drugs with the intent to deal. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/NSOs%2018226%201.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure>‘I am encouraged by the continued success of our NSOs. An increase in drug-related and other arrests clearly show that our officers add value to our crime prevention initiatives. Crime will not be eradicated overnight, but each arrest, each weapon and drug confiscated is one step closer to saving lives and making our communities safer. Arresting those who deal in or transport illegal drugs often stops a more serious crime from happening. Our NSOs will continue to patrol communities and build relationships with SAPS, Neighbourhood Watches and other enforcement forums by providing support during enforcement operations. We would like to encourage members of the community to provide information to our officers that could lead to arrests.’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.The City reminds the public to report all issues and concerns by calling the Public Emergency Call Centre (PECC) on 021 480 7700 and to obtain a reference number. End

2026-02-17T22:00:00Z

Youth lead wetlands education at Rondevlei Nature Reserve

2026 Junior River Warden programme has commenced,

‘These young learners demonstrated their love for nature with their enthusiastic participation at the environmental education initiative, which was hosted at our Rondevlei Nature Reserve. Their eagerness for knowledge and to take responsibility for the active role that they can play as individuals in their communities is very encouraging. Through promoting creativity, leadership and experiential learning amongst this group I believe they will build a foundation for long-term environmental stewardship within their communities,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews. Valentine’s Day took on new meaning this year as over 80 young students gathered at Rondevlei Nature Reserve to celebrate their love for nature. The event was the first engagement for the 2026 Junior River Wardens (JRW) and was led by members of the Nature Connect Conservation Leaders Programme (CLP), with added support from the City’s River Warden Programme. The Junior River Wardens Programme is a collaborative environmental education initiative of the City of Cape Town and Nature Connect. The programme was established to empower Grade 5 and Grade 6 learners with foundational knowledge of rivers, wetlands and freshwater ecosystems, while cultivating environmental stewardship within communities located near vleis, rivers and nature reserves. Fifteen learners were selected from each school.Through structured learning, practical outdoor engagement and creative participation, the programme connects the classroom curriculum with real-world conservation. Learners develop ecological literacy while building skills such as teamwork, leadership, accountability and problem-solving.The initiative also forms part of a broader youth conservation pathway, enabling progression into advanced programmes such as the Nature Connect Conservation Leaders Programme in Grade 7 and beyond.The three-hour session at Rondevlei Nature Reserve focused on wetlands and estuarine ecosystems.Interactive activities included the “Web of Life” simulation; demonstrating ecosystem interdependence and the cascading impacts of species loss. Learners also participated in a guided nature walk to the reserve’s bird hides and concluded the session by constructing model wetlands to illustrate ecosystem structure, threats and restoration concepts.The Junior River Wardens Programme will continue throughout 2026 with structured engagements.For more information about the Junior River Warden or the original River Warden Programme, please contact admin.riverwardens@capetown.gov.za. For more information on Nature Connect Conservation Leaders programme, please contact Nature Connect directly.End

2026-02-17T22:00:00Z

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