The City of Cape Town has launched four land-release tenders worth an estimated R125.6 million, excluding VAT, aimed at unlocking more affordable housing on City-owned land. The sites are in Brackenfell, Ottery and Lansdowne, with the City positioning them as well-located areas close to key amenities and public transport routes.

The City says the tenders form part of its wider affordable housing programme, which looks to partner with the private sector on projects that are already prepared for delivery. It adds that the required processes, including public participation where applicable, will continue as projects move forward.

What the Proposed Developments Look Like

Across the four sites, the proposals are built around residential-led mixed-use developments, with a mix of affordable rental units, ownership opportunities and limited retail space.

In Ottery, the Enslin site is expected to accommodate about 375 units in two- to four-storey buildings. In Lansdowne, the Smuts and Ruby roads site proposes about 308 units in four-storey buildings. Northpine is planned for about 396 affordable rental units, alongside 34 ownership opportunities and roughly 800m² of retail space. In Ruwari, Brackenfell, the Affodil Street site includes about 115 affordable rental units, 30 ownership opportunities and roughly 60m² of retail space.

Green Spaces, Safer Neighbourhoods and a Bigger Pipeline

The City says the developments are designed around a “people-centred” approach that includes safer neighbourhoods, ecological amenities and green spaces, with proximity to rail, minibus taxis and bus services flagged as a key advantage. It also says land-price discounts on its affordable housing portfolio are meant to lower barriers to entry and attract stronger participation.

The City says these tenders sit alongside a broader pipeline linked to more than 12,000 residential units as it continues pushing to unlock well-located land for affordable housing.