The DA in the Western Cape again calls on the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) to play its part in supporting the Western Cape Government’s efforts to creating housing opportunities close to economic hubs. Despite requests to release four well-located land parcels identified in the City of Cape Town, the provincial government’s Department of Human Settlements has still received no word from Minister de Lille’s office, even after submission of formal correspondence to the national counterpart. It is estimated that more than 1 600 affordable housing opportunities could be created on these parcels in the Cape Town CBD and in the Southern Suburbs of the City.
The Western Cape Government continues to show its commitment to empowering residents by bringing them closer to opportunities and has seen great success through projects such as the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP). This assists first time home owners in purchasing their first property. In the 2019/20 financial year alone, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements distributed more R83.6 million through more than 1 600 non-credit linked and FLISP subsidies. More than this, the Department has leveraged all of its resources and released approximately 360 ha of land under the custodianship of the provincial department for housing opportunities.
MPP Matlhodi Maseko says: “Just this last week, the first 12 beneficiaries who qualified for FLISP subsidies have moved into their new homes in Forest Village, which forms part of the Western Cape Government’s Catalytic Project. This seeks to create mixed developments in Cape Town and assist an estimated 5 000 beneficiaries.
The provincial Department of Human Settlements has proven itself to be able to deliver for the residents of the Western Cape. However, we do need all spheres of government to work together, and while it may take time to release land parcels to the province, Minister de Lille should create open lines of communication between herself and the provinces. We are supposed to be working together for the progressive realisation of housing for all, as the Constitution demands, but Minister de Lille’s silence with her provincial counterpart seems to place politics above delivery.
It is concerning that multiple letters from the Department have been ignored by the DPWI, particularly since every land parcel is critical in the provincial government’s work to address the backlog on the Housing Demand Database. I will therefore, write to Minister Simmers about this matter and request a comprehensive overview of this government’s engagements with national counterparts since 2017. It will take all of government, at every sphere, to meet the demand for housing opportunities in the Western Cape.”
