Nearly R1.2billion has been approved for seven human-settlement projects in Cape Town in the 2014-15 to 2016-17 financial years.

City council authorities approved the budget for the seven projects already identified in the city’s Integrated Development Plan in a move to resolve chronic housing shortages. The city’s housing problem has been aggravated by the expanding population – from 2.9 million in 2001 to 3.7 million in 2011.

The projects, most of which are scheduled to start in the upcoming financial year, include new housing developments, the transformation of the apartheid-era hostels, and upgrades to the living conditions of backyard dwellers and residents in informal settlements.

The projects

Phase 1 of the Langa Hostels Community Rental Unit Project is due to start soon and will involve the construction of 463 rental apartments. Approximately R320 million has been set aside for the phase 2 of the project. The city hopes to eventually accommodate 1 300 families, or about 5 200 people, relocated from apartheid-era hostels.

The city aims to establish an estimated 15000 units in the impoverished townships of Langa, Gugulethu and Nyanga as part of the Hostel Transformation Programme.

Housing projects have been approved in Macassar in Helderberg, ImizamoYethu in Hout Bay and Fisantekraal in Durbanville.

1 700 units will be built in phases 1 and 2 of the Macassar housing project. Phase one is estimated to cost about R62.5million, excluding funds from the Treasury’s Urban Settlements Development Grant.

The ImizamoYethu phase 3 housing project will cost an estimated R105million.

The Fisantekraal garden cities phase 2 housing project will be developed on land held by the non-profit organisation Garden Cities. It has an estimated cost of about R87.9million, excluding funds from the Treasury’s Urban Settlements Development Grant.