 | Simondium Housing Project kicks off with official sod-turning ceremony
05 September 2023 | Press Releases |
5 September 2023
On Friday, 1 September 2023, as the country welcomed the start of a new season, so too the residents of Simondium near Paarl in the Western Cape welcomed a new season in their lives at a sod-turning event which symbolised the start of the Simondium housing project - a first for this area.
The Simondium Housing Project, a joint project between Drakenstein Municipality and the Western Cape Government, will bring forth 384 housing opportunities. The two spheres of government are investing a combined R77 million into this project, which will run over three years and include the development of infrastructure services. The cost of the housing component alone is estimated between R40 and R50 million and will be funded primarily from a Provincial Government housing subsidy grant.
The Simondium Housing Project will consist of different housing options - ranging from free Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing units to First Home Finance (FHF) houses (where first-time home buyers receive a housing subsidy to assist with purchasing a home).
This exciting new venture brings the potential for much-needed social and economic growth in the Simondium area.
According to Alderman Conrad Poole, Executive Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality, the project is history in the making, as it will be the first public housing project to be developed in Simondium.
Beneficiaries of this project will also be selected exclusively from the Simondium catchment area.
“With the construction of bulk services commencing, it is indeed a victory for the people of Simondium who have for long been steadfast in their course to have a home in Simondium, despite the many challenges over the years,” says Alderman Poole.
“Today I am indeed very happy with and for the community. In a year or two many of you will be sitting in your own house and that is what I want to see. It will be a team effort where the community, together with the Municipality, take hands and work together.”
Officiating the sod-turning ceremony alongside Executive Mayor Poole was the Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, who explained that the housing project was set to benefit individuals from multiple income brackets and would create a new integrated community.
“This development will uplift the dignity of this community,” Mr Simmers said.
He also pointed out that as South Africa celebrates Heritage Month, this project can be seen as the heritage of a community, a legacy which they will leave behind for generations to come.
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Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
