More than 331 housing units have been completed in the Vlakkeland housing project in the Drakenstein Municipality, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements (WCDoHS) announced on 17 March.
“The department has ensured that these residents and their loved ones now live in improved and safer conditions,” the department statement said. “More qualifying and deserving beneficiaries will soon also live in a dignified manner, as the WCDoHS will commence with the construction of a further 424 units during the 2022/23 financial year.”
This mixed-use development, which will include 187 affordable housing opportunities, has an allocated budget of R453 million and is envisaged to create 2 556 housing opportunities by the end of 2023-’24 financial year.
Minister of Human Settlements Tertuis Simmers said: “I am pleased to note that progress is being made at this development, particularly since it is a site that was severely impacted by the Covid pandemic and the various lockdown levels.”
He added this is an important development that will assist in changing people’s lives, especially those in dire need of a housing opportunity.
“This project has already created 180 job opportunities, and it is envisaged that in the 2022-’24 financial year, a further 260 jobs will be created.”
The Western Cape government said it remained committed to accelerating human settlement delivery while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.
Vlakkeland reached headlines in the Paarl Post early in March after a resident from the area claimed he reported a case of human rights violation at Mbekweni police against the Drakenstein Municipality.
The municipality said it had no knowledge of such a case being registered at the police.
A media inquiry into the municipality prompted more answers about the promised housing project, which guarantees a further development of another 424 units.
Is there certainty about the date in which the project will begin its construction in the 2022-’23 financial year?
The Drakenstein Municipality’s Executive Director of Planning, Development and Human Settlements, Jacqui Samson, responded: “No, a date has not been established yet. The WCDoHS is currently busy finalising the appointment of a building contractor. Once this appointment has been made, more clarity should be available as to when the contractor can be expected on site.”
What is the exact location where these new units will be built?
The location borders directly on the first 331 houses that have already been built. “In terms of the greater Vlakkeland-development, the new units will border on the northern side, Newton residential area as well as the southern point of Roggeland farms,” Samson said.
How many applicants are currently on the list to qualify for housing?
“The Drakenstein Municipality currently has an active housing waiting list of more than 20 000 applications,” said Samson.
How many of these applicants will benefit from the new project?
“Altogether 942 families will be housed by this project’s Phase 1, which is currently under construction,” Samson concluded.
