SA Affordable Housing May / June 2017 // Issue: 64 | Page 6

NEWS
City of Cape Town invests
R60m to install new ceilings
in 'RDP' houses
The City of Cape Town’s Transport and Urban Development Authority
is rolling out Phase 2 of its ceiling retrofit project. This project aims
to warm up old state-subsidised houses, which were previously
constructed without ceilings.
RDP houses in Cape Town. Image: Citizen
R
oughly 3 451 households in Macassar, Chris Nissen,
Gordon’s Bay, Heinz Park, Phumlani, Silver City and
Sir Lowry’s Pass Village will benefit from Phase 2 of
the City’s ceiling retrofit project.
R60-million has been earmarked for this phase.
The aim of the project is to install ceilings in old state-
subsidised houses – commonly referred to as RDP houses
– which were constructed many years ago without ceilings.
This project also includes the repair of roof leaks and the
installation of safer ceiling lighting.
The project commenced on 1 February 2017 and work is
expected to conclude at the end of June, if it all goes
according to schedule.
Between 1994 and 2005, the majority of state-
subsidised housing units were constructed without
insulated ceilings and weatherproofing. This was because
the then national Government subsidy did not make
provision for this. After 2005, the housing subsidy was
increased to provide ceilings, weatherproofing and
partitioned bedrooms. In Cape Town alone, it is estimated
that there are about 50 000 state-subsidised homes that
do not have ceilings.
“This R60-million investment is a very exciting project
because the City has the opportunity to directly make a
difference in the lives of some of our most vulnerable
residents. By installing ceilings in homes, we are
alleviating the discomfort that residents have experienced
as a result of the poor thermal performance of these homes
4
MAY - JUNE 2017
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING
and the condensation which gives rise to damp conditions
and inferior internal air quality,” says the City’s mayoral
committee member: Transport and Urban Development
Authority, Councillor Brett Herron.
“This project is more than just the installation of ceilings.
It is about improving the living conditions of our residents
by contributing to their well-being so that they are able to
enjoy the comfort of their homes with their families,” says
the City’s mayoral committee member: Area East,
Councillor Anda Ntsodo.
During Phase 1, the City invested R83-million for 4 550
ceilings that were installed in various areas, such as Eureka,
Kalkfontein, Broadlands (Strand), Lwandle, Vrygrond and
Wesbank. This phase included fixing roof leaks and
installing safer ceiling lighting.
Generally, prior to the commencement of ceiling retrofit
projects, a public participation process was held within the
identified beneficiary areas to obtain buy-in and support
from the project’s beneficiaries.
After 2005, the housing subsidy
was increased to provide
ceilings, weatherproofing and
partitioned bedrooms.