Residents move into Anchorage Social Housing development | Western Cape Government

News

Residents move into Anchorage Social Housing development

10 March 2021

Yesterday, the National Minister of Human Settlements Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, along with the Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers were in attendance at the Anchorage Social Housing Project to welcome and handover keys to residents who took occupancy of their brand-new units.

Construction of this development, which is nestled in Glenhaven, Bellville South, commenced in October 2018 and has a budget of close to R 200 million. It consists of a total of 512 Social Housing Units. The first phase of social housing consists of 416 apartments arranged in 4-storey walk-ups in five buildings. To date, 209 of the completed 416 units as part of the first Phase are occupied. The second phase consists of a single four-storey building of 96 units.

National Minister of Human Settlements Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu said: “I’d like to congratulate the Western Cape, as they have the greatest number of social housing projects in this country. Already 8 projects have been approved for implementation and this includes this one and another one in Mitchells Plain. All of them are expected to deliver close to 3000 units.

These spaces offer a safe environment for all our people. I’d like to encourage the beneficiaries of this place to fully enjoy the space and to take care of it. This project clearly demonstrates that when the different spheres of government work together it bears fruit as evident in this development.”

For his part, Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers commented: “I am happy for these residents and would like to encourage them to make this space their own. Projects such as these are important for realizing the dignity of our residents. That is why the Western Cape Government has placed a renewed and continued focus on accelerating opportunities within the affordable housing market.”

Features of the Anchorage project include centralised water heating (which results in significant savings on electricity), a dedicated smart metering application for purchasing prepaid utilities, access to fibre and television over fibre, a park with mini-basketball courts and a children’s play area. The rentals by tenants, which is determined by their personal circumstance, and the size of their units, as some are one - and others two bedroom, ranges between R 535.00 to just over R 2 600.00 per month, which is well below the market rate.

Simmers added: “I am also happy to note that people living here are from all walks of life and age groups. That residents from various backgrounds, creeds, cultures, sexual orientations and languages are living together in one community, shows true integration. This is exactly what we want to see happening in our societies, as it is assists in breaking down Apartheid Spatial Planning.

One of the residents that moved in is 23-year old Mrs. Badroeniesah Jobert. She said: “I chose Anchorage to practice being sustainable. The dream is owning my own home one day. I am totally blind. This place is really comfortable and suited to my needs. We are ecstatic to live here in the Anchorage community.”

Another resident, 70-year old Mr. Rodney Johnson said: “When this opportunity came along it suited me perfectly. I'm incredibly happy, as over the last while I’ve had some personal challenges, but this has improved my life significantly. I’m pleased that I have a place to call home.”

26-Year old Support IT Technician, Landiwe Longweni said: “I was staying in a wendy house in someone’s back yard. The place was not a good environment to raise a kid and it was not safe. I applied here because the place is safe and secure, and the environment is safe to raise a child.”

“As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society,” concluded Minister Simmers.

Media Enquiries: 
Media Enquiries: 

Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
Tel: 021 483 3397
Mobile: 082 721 3362
Email: Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za

or

Nathan Adriaanse
Director Communication & Stakeholder Relations
Tell: 021 483 2868
Mobile: 083 2631720
Email: Nathan.Adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za