SA Affordable Housing November - December 2018 // Issue: 73 | Page 8

NEWS
(VRCIZ) – one of three integration zones where the City will,
during our term of office, spend the bulk of our capital
budget on infrastructure aimed to transform Cape Town’s
spatial reality.
“The sites are strategically placed in the Voortrekker Road
Corridor between the City’s two most important commercial
and jobs hubs – the city centre and Bellville, with good access
to other important economic nodes like Maitland, Goodwood
and Salt River. We have already seen some renewed private
sector interest and investment in Parow which could, in the
long-term, displace some of the area’s residents due to rising
prices. Therefore, we also want to get ahead of this
phenomenon, often called ‘gentrification’, by developing
subsidised rental units for qualifying vulnerable households.
In so doing we will ensure that as house and rental prices in
Parow rise the area will always have some affordable rental
homes available, and in perpetuity,” says Herron.
International research confirms that where affordable
housing is built to a good standard and design in well-
located areas, these developments can improve adjacent
property values.
“On this note I want to add that there are some
misconceptions about what social housing is. Social
housing is the official term for state-subsidised rental units
that are developed and managed by Social Housing
Institutions (SHIs). SHIs are private, non-profit companies
that are accredited by the National Government to provide
social housing.
“These developments are modern and well-built with
spaces for children to play. There is strict access control, and
tenants have to comply with the SHI’s rules in the same way
that body corporate rules apply to those living in private
developments. Only families who can afford to pay rent are
allowed to move into these units, and tenants have to sign
lease agreements.
“The social housing complexes have a good reputation
because they are well-run and well-maintained. They are
very popular and the units are high in demand. I want to
assure local residents from Parow that they and the area
will greatly benefit from these proposed developments,”
says Herron.
It is proposed that the Parow Station sub-precinct should be
developed first. The sub-precinct consists of seven City-owned
parking lots that are barely used. The parking lots are located
between Voortrekker Road and McIntyre Street, within close
proximity to Parow Station. An estimated 950 affordable rental
units could be developed on these sites.
The other sub-precincts will take longer to develop as the
City needs to acquire some of the sites that are proposed to
form part of the precincts; the TDA will continue with the
conceptual planning while Parow Station sub-precinct is
being developed.
“I want to state upfront that the City is committed to
following a partnership approach where we will collaborate
with all relevant stakeholders, and most importantly, with the
people who currently live and work in Parow. This is a
long-term commitment, because the developments will be
happening over a few years. We will continuously engage
with the public and local community so that we can make a
success of these precinct developments. We want residents’
input and support because we cannot do this on our own,”
concludes Herron.
On a (ceiling) roll in SA
Knauf Insulation in South Africa has launched a new glass mineral
wool ceiling roll.
F
ollowing feedback received from a number of customers
and contractors in the region, and to bring added
convenience, the company reviewed its range of products
to address the most common ceiling joist centres used in
South Africa.
The new Combi-Cut Ceiling Rolls will now incorporate an
additional perforation cut at 800mm by 400mm, while also
retaining the existing combi-cut perforation along the centre,
enabling the installer to separate the product conveniently
into pre-measured 800mm and 400mm width rolls without
the need for tools.
The added flexibility means that the product is ideal for
installation between typical 750mm standard joist centres
used in South Africa or alternatively for 600mm joist centres
under slate roofs and often used as standard centres in other
African countries.
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NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018
More benefits of the new product include:
• It can be separated into 800mm and 400mm, two 600mm
or 1200mm width combinations.
• Unbeatable non-combustible A1 Euroclass Reaction to Fire
Classification rating and SANS 10177 Pt 5 and 10 for fire.
• Manufactured using revolutionary technology (no smell,
no artificial colours or bleaching, pleasant to handle, less
energy intensive).
• Available as 50, 100 and 135mm*.
• More m 2 per roll for easier storage and handling.
• Palletisation with weatherproof outer film permits
external storage.
* 75mm is available as a solid 1 200mm width.
Speaking after the launch, Mark Gillott, business
development director for Knauf Insulation Africa, said,
www.SAAffordableHousing.co.za