Beneficiaries move to temporary and permanent accommodation to clear site

The Western Cape Department of Human Settlements is making good progress in relocating existing and potential housing beneficiaries from the Airport Precinct housing project site. Over 300 households have been moved from New Rest, Lusaka, Kanana and Gxagxa to temporary relocation areas (TRAs) in Delft and to new houses in Forest Village. 

The relocation of these families means that the Department will have a clear site for the contractor to commence with bulk infrastructure for one of its Catalytic Projects, the Airport Precinct housing project, launched in 2019.

This relocation began in 2019 and will continue until all households are accommodated in the temporary relocation areas (TRAs) in Delft. As soon as an adequate portion of the site is cleared the contractor, Vharanani Property Services will be commencing with construction.  This is envisioned to be in the next 3 months.

Speaking on the progress made, the Head of Department (HOD) Ms Jacqui Samson, attributed the success to on-going stakeholder engagements with the affected communities. “It is only through face-to-face meetings with the communities and the various local structures representing them that we have been able to achieve this success as it is always a challenging and emotional process to reach this point. As the Department, we would like to thank residents of the mentioned informal settlements for their cooperation in this process. We encourage others who are yet to be relocated to follow through as this is for the betterment of their lives,” said Samson.

The Department has ensured that the temporary accommodation is safe and secured for residents for the duration of their stay.

This housing project will benefit residents living in New Rest, Gxagxa, Kanana, Barcelona, Lusaka, Europe, Thambo Square, Vukuzenzele, amongst other informal settlements.

The Airport Precinct housing project will deliver 9 000 housing opportunities comprising of duplex and multi-storey walk-ups to the greater Gugulethu area and its surrounds. Provision will be made for public open spaces, community facilities and market and play areas.

This development forms part of the Southern Corridor Integrated Human Settlement Programme that will deliver approximately 50 000 housing opportunities to residents within the City of Cape Town.