R68 million is being invested into more affordable housing units in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

The province’s human settlements department said the project will be implemented by the Qhama Social Housing Institution and will have 220 units consisting of bachelor, one bedroom and two bedroom units.

The department said this project will be for rental purposes, with a rental bracket between R1,500 and R7,500 a month for different size units.

The province’s housing MEC Helen Sauls-August said the first phase of the project will focus on the social housing element of the building.

“This marks a defining moment for the people of the Eastern Cape Province as were are here to witness the fall of a painful past and the new beginning of a historic project,” she said.

She added that the social housing project will preserve the rich history and heritage of the building and create a living memorial of the struggle for liberation.

“It is befitting that during the year of Oliver Tambo, the work to convert this building into a living memorial of the struggle for freedom commences now,” she said.

Work to revamp the building will commence in June and will run for a period of 12 months.

Funding for the project has been provided from provincial and national government as well the Social Housing Regulatory Authority.