Deadline for Western Cape inclusionary housing policy framework process approaches

The Western Cape Government’s public participation process for a groundbreaking new Inclusionary Housing Policy Framework has reached the halfway mark.

Anton Bredell, the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape has thanked the participants in the process to date and urges all interested parties – those that could benefit from inclusionary housing, as well as those who will implement it - to make use of this opportunity to provide their input.

“We are very serious about getting the needed input of all stakeholders to make it a workable policy framework, one that will ensure the final policy works well.”

The draft policy framework was developed by the Western Cape Government and published for public comment on 14 May. It will help municipalities in the Western Cape to facilitate the inclusion of more affordable housing units in developments in their municipal areas. This will be done in partnership with the private sector – creating more opportunities for people to live in better locations.

“Inclusionary housing is a mechanism to share in the value of land – which the whole of society has contributed to. It requires new private developments looking for further residential or mixed-use development rights, to include housing units that are affordable for lower income members of the public or to contribute towards affordable housing in well located areas in other ways. We are trying to work with the private sector to create more affordable housing opportunities in the parts of our cities and towns located close to jobs, schools, health facilities and good quality public spaces,” says Bredell.

The deadline for submissions is 13 July.

The Draft Western Cape Inclusionary Housing Policy Framework is available on the website: www.westerncape.gov.za/eadp.

Any person or organisation wishing to comment on the policy framework should submit their comments in writing before or on 13 July 2021 by post to: The Head of Department, Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Directorate: Spatial Planning, Private Bag X9086, Cape Town 8000; by hand to: Ms Catherine Stone, Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Directorate: Spatial Planning, 4th Floor, Property Centre, 1 Dorp Street, Cape Town; or by e-mail to: Michael.Hathorn@westerncape.gov.za.

For enquiries, please contact Ms Catherine Stone on e-mail: Catherine.Stone@westerncape.gov.za

ENDS.