Beneficiary Gert Snyders and Councillor Carl Pophaim in her new home. The City has completed a significant milestone in the Freedom Park informal settlement upgrade, delivering 22 Breaking New Ground homes to qualifying families in Ottery. Part of a larger 159-site development, this project provides dignified living conditions with full engineering services including roads, water, and electrical infrastructure.
“This handover is truly special and we are happy to celebrate with the families receiving their Breaking New Ground (BNG) homes. The City remains committed to providing housing opportunities for residents who need it most, ensuring that all residents have access to dignified living conditions,” said Mayoral Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Carl Pophaim. “This project stands as a shining example of what is possible when communities and the City work together to build a better Cape Town for everyone.” As part of the City’s commitments to improving living conditions for residents across the metro, the Freedom Park informal settlement was prioritised for upgrading.
The project, which began in 2022, includes the construction of full engineering services, such as standard roads, sewer and water reticulation, stormwater drainage, and electrical infrastructure. A total of 159 sites have been developed to accommodate original beneficiaries as well as qualifying second-generation households. This R45 million development represents a significant investment in the community’s future.
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“Breaking New Ground homes are being provided to qualifying beneficiaries and for households that do not qualify for BNG housing, alternative top structures using approved building materials are being provided to ensure improved and dignified living conditions,” explained Councillor Pophaim. New homeowner, Brenda Lenie Kock expressed her gratitude: “After waiting many years, having a proper home with running water and electricity means everything to my family. “We finally have security and a place we can truly call our own.” The Breaking New Ground programme is South Africa’s flagship housing initiative, designed to eliminate informal settlements and provide quality housing to low-income households who qualify for government housing subsidies.” Beneficiaries of City housing projects are selected in accordance with the City’s Housing Allocation Policy and Housing Needs Register to ensure housing opportunities are made available in a fair and transparent manner that prevents queue jumping and to those who qualify for housing as per the South African legislation.
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