The integrated project, Olive Close at Melkbosch Village, will have 100 units, each approximately 45sqm in size. It will form part of the major Melkbosch Village project (which will ultimately provide 430 mixed-use residential opportunities) due to run for another two years.
Olive Close will, however, be on its own site and will be a gated security village with its own entrance and exit points.
The units will be occupied from March 2010 onwards by local residents, some of whom have waited 15 or more years for a home. All are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and all have been through a rigorous three year educational programme "coached" by a Zainoe Suliman. Suliman represents the developers and has been involved in similar projects over the past ten years in conjunction with Malvern Cupido, a senior representative of the Department of Housing.
The City Council is contributing R10m to the project and Asrin, the developer, is subsidising a further R8m which will be used to upgrade the standard specifications.
"We are all keen to see this initiative bear fruit and for that reason we have tried to ensure that the external façades will complement the neo-Tuscan style of the homes on the main project. Roofs will be tiled, façades plastered and internally, there will be certain 'extras' such as hot water geysers, showers and electric plug points, which might not be found in traditional affordable housing," says Asrin's marketing director, Shiraaz Hassan.
Local Government, said Hassan, will be monitoring this pilot initiative and if it proves successful, it could provide a model for future developments. In these 10% of the land as a matter of course will be allocated to similar joint ventures, part funded by the State and part funded by the developer.
For more information contact Shiraaz Hassan on 021 713 3012 or send an email.
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