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This morning, the Standing Committee on Human Settlements visited the estimated R2 billion Belhar mixed use development housing project, a high-density housing development near the University of the Western Cape.

About 4 188 housing units will have been made available by the end of the development, including student accommodation, social housing and open market units. The members of the committee were delighted to see the status of the social housing units which are complete.

To date approximately 50% of all targets have been met including 630 social housing units at the Belhar Gardens, 102 Military veterans units, over 1 182 walk-up apartments including the Help Me Buy a Home/ FLISP units and over 2 000 student accommodation units all occupied.

The oversight visit revealed that by the time construction is complete, the project will have benefited close to 3 000 students. Members of the Standing Committee applauded the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements for continuing to go above and beyond its duty by providing housing opportunities for students in the Western Cape in light of the nationwide shortage in student housing.

MPP Matlhodi Maseko says, “I was pleased to learn that throughout its development, the Belhar mixed use project had not been the target of extortion. In many provincial housing developments, extortion has impeded the implementation of housing services. This development has so far delivered on schedule and without delay.

The contracting company also revealed that close to 80% of their workforce is local, indicating that the multi-billion rand development has done more than just build houses; it has also given Western Cape residents employment opportunities and skills development.”

Issued by Matlhodi Maseko, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Human Settlements