Strandfontein residents do not want a housing project an engagement committee established until their questions about limited current infrastructure, including roads, schools, clinic, safety and security services, are answered.
Strandfontein Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (SRRA) and Strandfontein Social and Economic Development Forum (SSEDF) and Strandfontein Community Police Forum wrote to the City of Cape Town and ward councillor Elton Jansen on February 24.
In 2021 they also wanted the City to verify information, collected to finalise the development of the site, on Erf 1212, estimated to be bigger than 130 rugby fields and bordered by Spine, Strandfontein, Baden Powell and Witsands roads, which then included the building of 1 400 breaking new ground houses (“Housing questioned”, Plainsman, April 7, 2021).
Their letter was sent after a community meeting was held at the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Church on Thursday February 15.
Residents and ratepayers vocalised concerns that they sit in single-file traffic for up to 30 minutes in and out of the area during peak time; that there were not enough schools for the pupils living in brick-walled houses, backyards or in informal settlements; clinics for its patients and that crime was already rampant with only a single police station.
Resident Baronise Henry said: “We want houses but it must accommodate the backyard dwellers and those living in the informal settlements.
“The City must come forward and be transparent with the community. Who is going to get these houses? We definitely cannot handle the infrastructure that we have now with the influx of people,” she said.
According to the letter, they are concerned about the environmental impact assessment, infrastructure, additional policing, educational facilities, community engagement, guarantees that existing Strandfontein inhabitants will be housed in the area would benefit from the housing opportunities; and that alternate arrangements be made for informal settlement residents who do not immediately qualify for breaking new ground or gap housing.
“Despite our attempts at the previous housing meetings to bring attention to these matters, it appears that there has been limited progress in resolving them.
“It is essential for the well-being and harmony of our community that these issues are addressed in a timely and effective manner,” read the letter.
Mayoral committee member for human settlements, Carl Pophaim, told the Plainsman that an engagement would be set up with the SRRA and SSEDF to hear their concerns, as well as to find a way to address concerns raised.
“It should be noted that many of the concerns raised are around issues not directly related to housing; but about traffic, infrastructure and policing. While the City is open to hearing these concerns, these issues cannot be addressed by way of a housing project alone,” he said.
He said that the establishment of a project engagement committee (PEC) was a requirement of the Housing Code.
“PECs facilitate engagement during the course of housing projects,” he said.
Mr Pophaim said while housing projects were an ideal opportunity to bring public investment into an area, they were not the vehicle by which to pursue services such as additional policing; which was the responsibility of the South African Police Services (SAPS).
Educational sites were provided as part of housing projects where required; but the construction of schools was a provincial function over which the City did not have any authority.
“Any challenges raised with infrastructure can be referred to the relevant City line departments. Community engagement is very much a part of housing projects, and are critical to the success of housing projects,” he said.
He said Informal settlement residents who did not qualify for subsidised housing could be accommodated at sites, serviced with the necessary civil engineering services.
The PEC is made up of local interest groups, potential beneficiaries, the relevant ward councillor and officials from the City’s housing department.
The City confirmed that they had three public meetings, where the establishment of the PEC was mentioned but it was not focused on its establishment.
“The project is in the early stages, and work is currently under way to compile the environmental impact assessment for formal submission to the authorities,” said Mr Pophaim.
