Mount Croix low-cost housing plan row
Mount Croix residents up in arms over low-income development
THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMMU) wants to build low-income houses in the upmarket, quiet suburb of Mount Croix, upsetting residents in the area who believe it would devalue their properties and lead to an increase in crime.
The city has its sights set on a public open space in the vicinity of Knowles Street to build social houses for people earning between R2 500 and R7 500 a month.
The open space is situated opposite the Erica Girls’ Primary School.
It would be a development similar to the Walmer Links and Fairview Links social housing projects.
The exact details of the proposed development are not yet available. However, the city expects to build rental units for about 200 or 300 lowincome earners.
In mayor Ben Fihla’s report to the council, which will meet next Thursday, he recommended that the public open space and two roads be closed for the development to take place as this would promote social integration.
The municipality received 36 objections from residents in the area, who claim that rental housing would “not provide the same character and control as currently exists”.
Some of the objections received include:
It would devalue the surrounding properties;
It would take away residents’ open space;
The intended flats would be modern, out of place and in conflict with the heritage homes in the area;
There are not enough schools in the immediate vicinity and Erica Girls’ Primary School is already full;
There will be an increase in noise and environmental pollution;
Many of the new occupants would be unemployed and cause a disturbance with their radios and TVs;
Social housing is not ideal in front of an all-girls school because they do not know what type of people would reside there;
‘ What sort of elements will we be availing ourselves to?
It would cause traffic chaos due to an increase in taxis frequenting the area;
The municipality would not be able to ensure the security of homes and Erica Primary School;
The Port Elizabeth Central clinic, which is the nearest clinic, would not be able to cope with the influx of new patients;
There would be two different lifestyles and morals which meant the communities would not interact with each other; and
The development would not be in the interests of good health and hygiene and would be a nuisance to neighbouring properties.
One of the objections says: “Which schools will the new youngsters be accommodated in because it is very obvious 90% of schools in the area will be out of reach for most who reside in those new houses?”
Another objection says: “It is not clear if it will be lowcost rentals. If so, what sort of elements will we be availing ourselves to and will this area become the new Central?”
In response to the objections, the municipality hit back saying no study had been conducted to prove that social housing had caused the devaluation of properties.
“The social housing will not alter the character of Mount Croix. It will actually provide a social economic mix and yield benefits to the community.
“The aims of social housing are to encourage densification, social and economic integration of communities and provide affordable alternative rental accommodation to low-income persons.
“It is wrong to assume and speculate that the people who will reside in this development will be unemployed. Social housing developments target low-income households and persons with a monthly income of between R2 500 and R7 500.”
The city responded further: “It is wrong to assume that a certain type of people who may reside in the social housing development will cause a security risk to the pupils.
“It is not fair to assume that people in the social housing income bracket are associated with endangering an all-girl school learner safety. This has never been proven and it is stereotypical to think that.”
Mount Croix ward councillor Mornè Steyn said the proposed social housing project was a very sensitive issue.
“There’s a need to balance the needs of the residents in the area, but also there is a need for social housing.
“I have asked the municipality to ensure the rights of residents be taken into account.
“But we must have more social cohesion in the country, which I fully support,” Steyn said.
The council will make the final decision about whether or not to proceed with the plans for the housing project.