Release of the Salt River Market land for social housing welcomed

Anthea Houston, CEO at Communicare says; “Communicare welcomes the decision by the Cape Town City Council to approve the sale of the Salt River Market site to Communicare to develop social housing on prime land.

This development combines social housing with housing for people with higher incomes as well as commercial and retail space. Salt River Market will follow global good practices for social housing while being the first of its kind in South Africa. Its successful implementation will pave the way for the City of Cape Town to release and develop other similar sites along the Voortrekker Road Corridor for higher density, sustainable housing developments.

Given the high level of gentrification in the Woodstock and Salt River areas, the sale is a significant spatial justice victory. We commend Mayor Hill-Lewis for boldly leading the City Council to approve this step in the right direction to address spatial inequality. It is wonderful that the City Council has finally responded to the cries of its constituents and social justice advocates, who have been calling for the site’s release for nearly a decade.

This decision responds to the chronic housing backlog at a time when many residents are falling out of the bond market due to rising interest rates. Over 700 apartments will be built at Salt River Market. However, approval of the sale is only the first step in the lengthy housing development process. There are several administrative and procedural hurdles to be resolved before construction starts on the property.

Communicare is looking forward to implementing this development which can change Cape Town’s housing landscape if our elected leaders continue to act in the interests of inclusive housing delivery that is both socially and financially sustainable.”