W0rds: Matthew Hirsch / GroundUp
The Western Cape Provincial Government has revealed its plans to build affordable and social housing at the long-contested Tafelberg site in Sea Point.
During a public meeting at the Life Conference Centre in Sea Point on Wednesday evening, three options were presented. The options include different combinations of high-end, affordable and social housing. There will also be retail space.
Affordable housing is not subsidised by the government but cross-subsidised by the high-end units and retail space. According to the Western Cape Government's definition of affordable housing, the units are for households earning less than R22,000 a month. There is no official cap on monthly rental amounts, but government representatives at Wednesday's meeting said rentals at the Tafelberg site will be kept as affordable as possible.
Social housing, on the other hand, is subsidised and regulated by the national Social Housing Regulatory Authority for households earning less than R22,000 a month. Rentals are capped at R6,475 a month.