Minister Madikizela Launches Affordable Housing Project in Mitchells Plain

The Department of Human Settlements in partnership with POVICOM, a recently accredited Social Housing Institution based in the Mitchells Plain area, today launched the very first social housing project in Mitchells Plain.

Construction of Phase 1 of the Regent Villas Social Housing Project is expected to begin in September 2018 and will yield 104 units ranging from a Bachelor to three-bedroomed family units. The total budget for this project is an estimated R38 million.

The project will provide affordable and decent rental homes to the people of Mitchells Plain and surrounding areas. Regent Villas is in close proximity to public transport, clinics, schools and economic opportunities, making it an Integrated Residential Development.  It is estimated to be completed in September 2019.

Speaking at the sod-turning event, Human Settlements Minister, Bonginkosi Madikizela said the project was launched in partnership between the Department and the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA).

“I am happy that this project is run for the people from Mitchells Plain. This is a partnership between PROVICOM - the new kid on the block, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements and SHRA. We are all here today to make sure we house people who are living here, especially those who are low-income earners. There’s a huge demand for rental accommodation in Cape Town, particularly in this area” said Minister Madikizela.

“It is exciting that we are starting to address this need from locals and across the city. Everyone is welcome here and more importantly, we need to make sure the people from the surrounding areas are the ones who will get first preference,” added Madikizela.

Minister Madikizela said that people earning between R1500 and R15 000 a month would benefit from this project and added that the Department was hoping to use the Regent Villas Project as a catalyst and roll it out to other areas across the city.

“It is crucial for the government to invest in infrastructure and projects of this nature because the aim is not only to house people but to create job opportunities for young people in construction. This project ticks all the boxes of what we want to achieve as the Department of Human Settlements. The fact that people who will be living here are low-income earners, especially our backyarders is very exciting,” he concluded.

POVICOM Spokesperson Muzzamil Toefy said the broad appeal of the project was that rental will range between R700 to R4500 per month. He said that beneficiaries will get 24-hour security, a recreation area, a shop and a parking area. “ We want people to have a place not only where they can stay, but a secure space  where they can enjoy their lives. Hopefully, this is the very first triple storey social housing development for the entire Mitchells Plain. We hope this is the first of many more projects to come”  added Toefy.