Sea Point’s madams could be living right next door to their maids one of these days.
In what lobby groups have hailed as a breakthrough, a provincial government study has found that low-cost housing can be built at the Tafelberg School Site in the larney area.
The province’s Department of Transport and Public Works has published a financial model for 270 new social housing units for the site.
Lobby group Ndifuna Ukwazi says: “The model envisions a mixed use development on the site and will include affordable housing. The housing would be cross-subsidised by on-site commercial retail outlets. Two hundred and seventy social housing units, for low-income households earning between R1 500 and R7 500, are envisioned. The existing school building will be retained as a school.”
Ndifuna Ukwazi and Reclaim the City had taken on the provincial government to have low-cost housing in Sea Point.
The housing plan is not a done deal, and is also open to a process of
public participation.
Many Sea Point homeowners fear an increase in crime and that their property values will fall should the low-cost development take place.
But Ndifuna Ukwazi said people like domestics and cashiers who work in Sea Point will benefit.
Transport and Public Works Department’s Byron La Hoe said they had been tasked to prepare a financial model to enable cabinet to take a decision. This was in light of some of the comments received in support of social housing, he told Cape Argus.