Western Cape Human Settlements on the completion of Mitchells Plain Social housing project

Mitchells Plain Social housing project nearing completion

The formalisation of Social Housing Norms & Standards could not have come at a better time for the Western Cape rental property market, as the Regent Villas Social Housing project nears completion. The Regent Villas Extension 1 project is situated in Mitchells Plain, Weltevreden Valley.

Construction of the project began in September 2021 with the final part of construction work to be completed at the end of March 2023.

The R26 Million project will be home to 60 beneficiaries across various income brackets, categorized as primary and secondary beneficiaries.

Regent Villas Extension 1 beneficiary allocation is as follows:

• 20 of the 60 units will be allocated to the primary beneficiaries earning between R 1 850 and R 6 700 per month.

• 40 units are for the secondary target market of people earning between R 6 701 and R22 000.

The appointed Social Housing Institution for this project is Povicom NPC, a newly formed emerging, black-owned non-profit company.

External features include:

A child-friendly and secure recreational area is available with jungle gyms. In addition, a crèche facility for the children of the tenants, an on-site shop, a 5-a-side soccer court, a basketball ring, and a built-in braai area have been incorporated to enhance the tenants’ experience of living at Regent Villas. The building is energy efficient and has a centralized heat pump system for the provision of hot water to units. In comparison to the typical geyser, the heat pump system allows for a 60% saving on electricity usage. Water will be metered and thereby provide a significant saving for tenants.

Complimenting Premier Alan Winde’s SOPA statement of creating 9 395 housing opportunities in the next fiscal year across the province, Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said: “This is one of many projects through which we intend to restore the dignity of Western Cape citizens and urgently deliver affordable and sustainable housing opportunities. This project is conveniently located and near all amenities, within walking distance of Vanguard Drive, a public transport hub. Its location will also improve economic opportunities for these families due to its proximity to work opportunities in the Lansdowne Corridor, Phillipi Horticultural Area (PHA), Industrial area along Vanguard Drive, and economic opportunities within Mitchells Plain.”

Construction of Regent Villas Extension 2 will begin in June 2023 and is expected to be completed in December 2024. This project will create nearly double the number of housing opportunities, a total of 110.

“I look forward to returning to the Mitchells Plain community to hand over yet another state-of-the-art housing project. Not so long ago we handed over houses for New Woodlands backyarders and beneficiaries from the Kosovo informal settlement. With the Regent Villas project, we will ensure that more citizens have access to affordable rental and the social housing market” added Simmers.

The Western Cape Government restoring hope and delivering services with the urgency of now.

Source: Government of South Africa