13 plots rezoned for low-cost housing

LOW-COST housing developer Communicare has welcomed the Cape Town city council’s decision to rezone 13 plots of land near Salt River station for high-rise housing with some 200 low-rent units, saying it expects to proceed with development after six years of planning.

“All the work is now bearing fruit and set to benefit the residents of Cape Town, who deserve decent and affordable housing that is close to public transport and work opportunities,” the company said yesterday, two days after the council approved the rezoning.

The rezoning decision provides for 723 residential units to be built on the land, which, in terms of the plans, will be sold to Communicare for 10% of its commercial value of R114 million.

Communicare said 30% of the units would be reserved for people earning up to R15 000 a month, 14% for so-called GAP housing for those earning up to R22 000 and 56% for people earning more than R22 500 a month.

Communicare rents typically begin at R700.

It said council approval to build higher than four storeys meant more units could be included, but also that construction would be more expensive because higher engineering standards were applicable. According to the mayor, approval was granted for buildings between 25m and 38m high.

Company spokeswoman Michelle Mattee said there had been no suggestion that the council would open the process to competing low-cost housing companies, as the original rezoning request was based on a proposal from Communicare.

Communicare chief executive Anthea Houston noted that a number of processes had to be finalised before the land was ceded to the company.

“This is a good start and we hope to see the City release more land for integrated mixed-use developments that include social housing. We still have a long way to go as the City Council has to finalise a number of processes before the site is handed over to Communicare.”

The development became mired in political controversy late last year when the council halted the rezoning process. Mayor Dan Plato stressed that this had been done because it was believed the number of housing units initially proposed could be increased. He said the developer now had five years to act on the rights to the site. African News Agency (ANA)

We hope to see the City release more land for mixed use Anthea Houston COMMUNICARE CHIEF EXECUTIVE