Today, 19 February 2025, City officials attended a sod-turning ceremony to relaunch its well-located Edward Avenue housing project. This important milestone marks the City’s commitment to delivering housing opportunities and improving the lives of residents under difficult sectoral conditions. Read more below:
The project comprises a total of 126 Breaking New Ground (BNG) State-subsidised housing opportunities. It was delayed by some time due to the impact of criminality and extortion. This project is expected to be completed by the end of this year, if all goes according to plan.
‘I am so pleased to be here today to see this R52 million project progress. This project includes not only the houses, but also the electrification and public lighting, landscaping and sidewalks. We are doing this important work for the benefit of our beneficiaries, some who are among the most vulnerable. I want to see them move into their new homes soon so they may begin the next phase of their lives in comfort.
‘This project was unfortunately impacted by criminality and extortion. This is not okay, we cannot allow extortion and criminals demanding protecting money or cuts of project values to be the norm and we will fight it with all we have. We therefore spent much focus on reducing risks and enhanced security and monitoring was implemented to deal with the threats. These criminals cannot and will not be allowed to take housing opportunities from those who most need them.
‘The support of the community is extremely important to protect this project. The City will continue to do everything it can to ensure the beneficiaries receive their opportunities as planned. When we work together with our communities, we can overcome these challenges. This is why we must continue to say Enough is Enough and stand together to fight criminality and extortion. Together we can make a real difference for the residents of Cape Town,’ said Councillor Carl Pophaim, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements.
As with all City projects, qualifying beneficiaries are objectively assessed in terms of the Housing Needs Register and the City’s Allocation Policy, which is an objective tool, within a fair and independent process.
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