A total of 104 families in Scottsdene, Cape Town, celebrated Freedom Day in their brand new social housing units.

These units form part of the social housing portion of the Scottsdene Rental Estate project, which is a joint initiative between the City of Cape Town, the National Government, the Western Cape Government and Madulammoho (the City’s social housing partner).

The City of Cape Town has provided R53 million in institutional subsidy funding towards this project and contributed land at a discounted rate to make the project feasible in order to provide rental accommodation to residents from lower income groups.

This project is budgeted at over R157 million including State funding, with R110 million spent so far.

“In total, 500 fully subsidised social housing units will be provided by December 2015. We have already handed over 232 units this year to beneficiaries from Scottsdene and the surrounding areas, including the 104 families who received their keys over the past few weeks,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Benedicta van Minnen.

The Scottsdene Rental Estate is in close proximity to transport nodes, educational facilities and economic opportunities.

Residents will now have easy access to a number of schools, recreational facilities and churches.

Security features include 24-hour manned security, clear-view fencing, and access control via biometric fingerprint technology. Provision has also been made for a well-designed and fully maintained garden as well as recreational facilities.

“Social housing opportunities such as these cater for some beneficiaries who come from very desperate situations.

“These residents will now be able to move into formal housing and enjoy simple pleasures such as having a place to store their furniture and belongings or having peace of mind that they now have a safe place to live, where their children can play outside.

In essence, this accommodation is providing independence and freedom to residents who previously could not afford to live on their own,’ said Councillor Van Minnen.