GAP housing plans get moving
2009-05-21
Sieb Sieberhagen
ALL indications that tenders for the construction of a middle income housing project (Gap housing) in Paarl, which has been planned since last year, are due to be advertised soon. At last week’s Mayoral Committee meeting, councillors discussed the proposals and made an urgent appeal that this project be finalised as soon as possible. The houses are intended for buyers in the income group between R5 300 and R10 000. Some of the proposals indicate that the average erven size required must be 350 square metres, with the dwellings between 50 and 100 square metres, but the price of the units must not exceed R350 000. A suggestion by different departments to reduce the average erf size to 300 square metres and the minimum dwelling size to 40 square metres, was also part of the discussion. This was to promote affordability and utilise the scarce land more effectively. Although the municipality does not have a specific figure on how many Gap houses will be built, the three areas in Drakenstein that are earmarked for this project are Groenheuwel area, open land next to the Paarl East swimming pool, and a site in Mbekweni next to Jan van Riebeeck Drive. The reason why the figure is not available is that in some Gap house areas, the sizes of the houses might affect the number of units built, a spokesperson for the municipality says. Mayor Charmaine Manuel said that the Gap housing project is a burning issue and that it cannot be delayed any longer. She and Arthob Petersen (housing portfolio) advised the meeting that the dwelling size should be an initial 50 square metres, with the option for owners to extend if they wish to do so. Only first time home owners will be accommodated and preference will be given to the applicants on Council’s integrated housing waiting list, as well as tenants in municipal rental units.
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