Three new housing developments in Cape Town are offering affordable gap housing to residents.
The City of Cape Town’s accredited social housing partner, the Cape Town Community Housing Company (CTCHC), is in the final phases of three new developments.
The first, Harmony Village in Mitchells Plain, will consist of 850 two-bedroom single or double-storey units. Harmony Village forms phase four of the Morgens Village Housing Project.
These houses are available for South African citizens or permanent residents with a household income of between R3 000 and R3 500. Applicants must be first-time homeowners who have never received a housing subsidy. They must also be married or single with dependents, permanently employed and have a clear credit record. In addition to the government’s subsidy, CTCHC also gives the potential buyer a top-up loan of R80 000 payable in instalments of approximately R1 000 per month over 20 years. A R5 000 deposit will also be required.
Meanwhile, West Cape Villas in Mitchells Plain is a gap housing development targeting those with a single or joint income of between R11 000 and R18 000 per month. Repayments will be in the region of R3 400 per month.
It will comprise 125 free-standing, 138 semi-detached and 78 sectional title homes. All units will have two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen/living area, and will be built with conventional brick and mortar. The development has been designed with a pedestrian walkway connecting all units with a centrally located public open space, a commercial space, and a hard-surface play area. It is also located close to public transport, schools, clinics and other amenities.
Thirdly, apartments are available in the Mountain View Villas development in Maitland, as part of the third phase of the Royal Maitland development. These apartments will cost in the region of R299 000 and will be available for those with a single or joint income of between R11 000 and R18 000 per month. Repayments will be in the region of R3 400 per month.
In order to address the shortage of housing in Cape Town, the City’s Human Settlements Directorate has created a range of housing delivery options for residents.
Gap housing is used to describe the shortfall in the market between state-supplied residential units and housing opportunities delivered by the private sector. Residents in this market earn too much to qualify for state assistance, yet earn too little to qualify for home loans in the private property market. The City’s gap housing strategy encourages the private sector to supply housing units at a lower price, while also motivating residents to build their own homes.
“The City will continue to use all its resources to provide human settlements to as many people as possible throughout the city,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Tandeka Gqada.
For more information, contact the CTCHC on 0800 3710677 or 021 5521780, or visit the City’s Human Settlements Directorate website.
