Dear Editor
The Standing Committee on Human Settlements visited the Mill Park Housing Development project in the Cape Agulhas municipality last week. Through this initiative, the Western Cape Provincial Department of Human Settlements has observed a rise in the Bredasdorp community’s interest in buying homes for the first time.
The Mill Park Housing Project utilises the Help Me Buy A Home Program, which allows eligible households earning between R3 501 and R22 000 per month for a housing subsidy. It is a component of the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements’ Deferred Ownership Pilot Model. On the 9th of September 2022, the department officially launched this project. Eight contracts for mortgages have already been secured and submitted to the bank. Estate websites had more than 1000 viewings of the apartment within days of the project’s launch. In the first few days after opening, there additionally were close to 500 viewings for the rent-to-own division and five contracts had already been secured.
The Provincial Department of Human Settlements believes in strong working relationships with the private sector for effective service delivery. As a result, several private businesses have supported the Provincial Government in marketing the development. These businesses have assisted with the signing of contracts between the buyer and seller, and have contributed to the marketing aspect. The Standing Committee members welcomed the collaboration between the public and private sectors.
MPP Matlhodi Maseko says, “It is quite clear that people in the Western Cape have a strong desire to own their own homes, and the provincial department continues to support these needs. I was delighted to know that people’s lives had been transformed by this historical development. And without a doubt, additional beneficiaries will follow. The department also revealed that residents had more interest in 3-bedroom apartments and had viewed those plans.
I commend the Cape Agulhas Municipality for joining hands with the provincial department in making this project a success and bringing dignity to its communities. The DA in the Western Cape will keep pushing hard to ensure that opportunities for affordable housing are created across the province for even more beneficiaries.”
Regards
Matlhodi Maseko, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Human Settlements
