AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WOODSTOCK RESIDENTS

'A practical and necessary decision'

- MURRAY SWART

Woodstock Hospital site has entered a new phase as occupiers support the City's in-principle land-disposal decision. | City of Cape Town

(City of Cape Town)

THE hundreds of occupiers Cissie Gool House have welcomed the City Council's in-principle decision to dispose of the former Woodstock Hospital site, calling it the strongest opportunity yet to secure long-term affordable rental housing for current residents and others in need.

The Cape Argus understands the House is home to 900 people.

Their response followed Thursday's council meeting, where ward councillor Ian McMahon delivered a firm endorsement of the disposal, describing it as a “practical and necessary decision” at the intersection of social need, legality, safety and responsible urban planning. He thanked Mayco member for Human Settlements Carl Pophaim for his “accessibility” and involvement in meetings with affected stakeholders, and acknowledged the City’s appointed social facilitation team.

McMahon said engagements with residents, U-Watch, the Woodstock Residents' Association and the Woodstock Community Policing Forum (CPF) focused on housing needs as well as safety and stabilisation of the precinct. He said the public participation process generated extensive submissions that revealed consistent themes: fear of displacement, resistance to a conventional sale, support for redevelopment if it delivered affordable or social housing.