Government-subsidised housing, consisting of social rental flats and Gap or Flisp housing, is one of the proposals put forward by the City of Cape Town for development on the vacant land next to the KFC outlet in Ruwari.
In a report to Subcouncil 2 the Human Settlements Directorate made clear its intention to obtain support from the said subcouncil for the sale and development of erf 9702 for affordable housing.
The proposal discussed at a recent meeting speaks of two- or three-storey buildings to house about 115 social-rental units, 30 Gap or Flisp houses, a commercial space and a dog park.
In essence, Flisp or Gap housing is affordable housing targeted at a market that earns too much to qualify for free government homes, but earns too little to invest in property without the intervention of financial help.
Feasibility study
It is stated in the report that the 1,13 ha land currently zoned as local business, was previously packaged for social housing and a care centre but received no support.
Since then numerous meetings had been held with the Subcouncil, the last being in February 2023, where it was agreed that the directorate would revert to the Subcouncil following a feasibility study of the proposal.
With the feasibility study now complete, the next step in the process is the completion of an Urban Design Framework, followed by a land use application process.
After that a public participation process, to get input from affected parties and the broader community, will take place. Objections put forward by the community on the previous application were among others, a lack of schools and other infrastructure, an increase in crime and decrease in property values as well as being an inappropriate typology for the existing suburban neighbourhood.
Subcouncil chair Marian Nieuwoudt said given the history of the site there will be an opportunity to engage with the community up-front.
Ward councillor for the area Grant Twigg said community engagement is set to start in January.
He said it is important for the community in Brackenfell to distinguish between RDP housing as apposed to Gap housing.
“A lot of people will not be happy about the development but others (in need of housing) will. This proposal is not to build RDP houses, and those who get involved with the public participation process must make sure they know the correct facts,” he said.
