In my capacity as MMC for Human Settlements, on Thursday, 26 October 2023, I conducted a joint oversight site inspection with the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) of the Townlands Social Housing Development located in Marabastad, Region 3.

SHRA is an entity of the national Department of Human Settlements that is responsible for investing into, enabling and regulating the social housing sector. It has partnered with the City’s housing entity, Housing Company Tshwane (HCT) in the development of the Townlands project.

Townlands is a social housing development that offers low-cost rental to qualifying residents of Tshwane who fall in the income band of R1 850 to R22 000. This development enables residents of Tshwane to live near the city centre and economic opportunities.

Once completed, the development will yield a total of 1 200 units, making it the largest social housing development in South Africa.

The Townlands project is nearing completion, with Phase 1 at 92% and Phase 2 at 84%. The practical completion of the entire development is expected in the first quarter of 2024.

HCT has started tenanting for eight completed blocks and is currently at 342 tenants in 342 units. The application for people earning R11 301 to R22 000 will be open from 1 November 2023 until the development is fully occupied.

It is important to note that only eligible applicants will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and that the units are for rental only, with rental charges calculated based on the gross household income.

This flagship development will become a springboard for the revival and rejuvenation of the Marabastad area.