CAPE TOWN CBD 'FRUIT & VEG' SITE TO BE USED FOR HOUSING

Concerns over who will be able to afford the units

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

AFFORDABLE-HOUSING activists have welcomed the City's announcement of 237 social units to be built at the "Fruit & Veg" site in the CBD, but voiced concerns over the income bracket expectations and called for national subsidies to be included.

The mixed-use development is also expected to include 375 residential units and 435m² of retail space.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the process had reached Council's approval for the final release of the City-owned land.

The 3300m² property is located between Kent and Bloemhof streets, right on the edge of District Six and the CBD.

Hill-Lewis said the social housing unit yield increased from the originally proposed 180 to 237 units as part of the proposal by developer YG Group and was transferred for R10 million.

The agreement is that it would include 237 units for social housing.

The piece of land is currently being leased by Food Lover's Market, which will have the option of returning once the development is completed.

"This is the kind of address that can change people's lives and open up entire new avenues of opportunity for them. Social housing is being maximised on this site thanks to a range of new measures passed by the City, including guidelines for discounting land, property rates and utility charges for this development," said Hill-Lewis.