The value of owning your own home and no longer being a backyard dweller cannot be overlooked.
Cape Agulhas residents received keys to their new homes in the Mill Park Development, Bredasdorp, on 27 June. The Mill Park Development is envisaged to create 106 affordable housing opportunities for residents of Bredasdorp and the broader Cape Agulhas municipal area. This event follows the launch of the R55 million budgeted project during 2022.
The Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, delivered the keys to first-time homebuyers and said: “This first-of-its-kind project offers applicants the option to either purchase their first home using a subsidy, or exercise a rent-to-buy option, to acquire their first homes.
“Residents earning a gross monthly income of R3 500-R22 000, and who qualify for a Help Me Buy a Home subsidy, receive financial assistance that serves to reduce their monthly bond instalment, making it more affordable to acquire their first home.”
According to him residents opting for the rent-to-buy option will rent their future home for a period of six – 24 months, after which applicants will be assisted with their mortgage application and a Help Me Buy a Home subsidy.
“The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure was excited to celebrate with the first few residents who received the keys to their new homes,” Simmers concluded.
The Mayor of Cape Agulhas Municipality, Paul Swart, said: “We all refer to this event as a milestone, and it is a milestone. We want to thank the minister who went out of his way to make this dream a reality. Everything is about dignity and to own a house restores dignity.”
According to him South Africa is already 30 years into democracy and when we look around us, poverty is still a reality. “Sometimes the municipality’s hands are tied, but my prayer is that we have to think outside the box and be innovative to change the situation and win poverty,” Swart said.
Mrs Goss whose son qualified through the rent-to-own-option said: “I am grateful that my son has been granted this opportunity to purchase a house for our family to move into. This subsidy by the government allows the youth to become homeowners at an early age and eases the burden on parents about worrying about their children.”
