Housing in Southern Africa November 2015

News

T he City of Cape Town partnered with Habitat for Humanity and Power Developments to build houses at the Pelican Park integrated housing development. Build Week cements the final phase of construc- tion at Pelican Park, which is due for completion before the end of the year. The project offers housing opportu- nities across the residential spectrum with 2 024 totally subsidised homes (BNG) being built alongside 760 Gap market units selling for R375 500, and 360 affordable housing units from R497 500 to R700 000. With 1 600 BNG houses already completed, the balance of 424 will be handed over to beneficiaries in December. The R700 million development comprises government and private sector investment. City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Benedicta van Minnen said: “The City would like to thank all volunteers and every organisationwho participated in Build Week. By being a part of this project, they are building more than just houses, they are contributing towards building better lives and better futures for some of our most vulnerable resi- dents,” said van Minnen. “This is key to the empowerment and transformation of our city. Previ- ously disadvantaged residents will commemorates the progress in human settlements and shelter rights worldwide. Build Week at Pelican Park World Habitat Day, a United Nations (UN) initiative

Benedicta van Minnen

have the opportunity to own an asset and the city is making every effort to address housing delivery. This project is testament to the need for partner- ships between government and the private sector to balance the dynamics of the housingmarket. We also have to devise newways to ensure large-scale delivery of housing opportunities,” said van Minnen. The Pelican Park development receivedGoldStar status in theMayor’s Portfolio for Sustainable Development, which incorporates provision for two new schools and a regional clinic to be developed by the Western Cape Government Depart- ment of Education and City Health, as well as two properties zoned as places of worship. A commercial precinct opened in November 2014 in an effort to

Michael Mamabolo teaches the councillor skills on site.

enable economic opportunities for residents. There are generous open spaces within the development and courtyards encircled by houses offer safe play areas for children. Pelican Park also fronts onto the False Bay Ecology Park, which can be accessed during daylight hours and provides pleasant opportunities for bird-watching and picnicking while overlooking the Zeekoevlei. ■

November 2015