“More than 90 years old, Communicare is a leading social and affordable housing provider in the Western Cape with increasingly diversified property holdings. Our mission to provide sustainable affordable housing is supported by our social-enterprise business model, which allows us to grow while making social impact.”
This according to Communicare, which owned House McMillan in Hermanus. Now, like with the elderly of the former Paradise Park, residents have to look for other places to stay since the premises have been sold. The fact that the elderly have to move has sent shockwaves through the community.
Some of the Facebook posts reflect residents’ feelings regarding the McMillan situation. On 3 September a Facebook User wrote: “Something must be done about the situation of all those vulnerable elderly and disabled people who are renting at McMillan House and signed a Social Housing Lease with the Communicare NPC when they moved in many years ago. Some of them have received letters saying they have to evacuate by the end of September and others by the end of October 2025. Now where are all those elderly people going to find a dwelling in Hermanus that they can afford on their monthly Sassa grant income?” The well-known estate agent Jane Day also raised her concern about this situation on her Facebook page: “I have been to Hermanus Times twice, I have been contacted by the Cape Times and have been to two meetings where it was discussed that attorney actions were in place to try and help the very elderly people living at McMillan House and who have been renewing their lease agreements through Communicare for longer than 10 years.
“It is really a shame that the most vulnerable people in the community of Hermanus are treated this way, and most of them receive only a Sassa old-age or disability grant from the government. What does one do? I am prepared to march if it brings attention! I wrote to the Mayor, but she resigned.
“I am told these people have to be out at end of this month and end of next month.” Another concerned resident whose son lives at McMillan and also receives a state pension also visited Hermanus Times to share her concerns. “My son lives with my ex-husband at House McMillan and they now have to find another place to stay.
“There is no room in Hermanus for them and especially no rental places catering for people who receive only state pensions.”
Meanwhile, the one-bedroom homes at McMillan House are being advertised for R725 000 while most of the residents still have no other place to go.
According to Dev Moretti, PR and Communication Officer of Communicare, McMillan was sold as a tenanted property.
“This was announced to the tenants in November 2024 during an on-site tenant engagement and has been affirmed in follow-up communications from both Communicare and the purchaser. The purchaser took early occupation in May 2025 and the property was transferred in August 2025. Tenants were given the opportunity to continue their tenancy or become owners of available units.”
The PR officer also said Communicare did not engage in 10-year lease terms and leases did not prohibit landlords from selling properties.
“Engagements with tenants started in 2024 and with any changes at properties the tenants have the alternative of applying for available properties that Communicare own. Tenants who decided to take the offer up to rent or buy from the new owner would have needed to enter into an agreement with the new owner.”
