Creating integrated housing opportunities through Mossel Bay housing project

The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) completed 278 First Home Finance Programme (FHFP) and 725 Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses in Mossel Bay through the R312m Mountain View Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) project in May 2023.

The IRDP aims to promote an integrated society by developing sustainable human settlements and quality housing within a subsidy system that meets the needs of households with different incomes. This particular IRDP project, which started in 2019, provides for subsidised, as well as finance-linked housing, social and rental housing, commercial, institutional and land for other land uses.

“This programme creates the opportunity to plan and develop integrated settlements that include all the necessary land uses and housing types and price categories to become a truly integrated community,” says Gavin Wiseman, DOI Director: Affordable Housing.

The newly completed FHFP houses are currently being marketed to buyers who qualify for the subsidy. The FHFP subsidy covers a portion of the purchase price which is determined by the buyers’ income. Another requirement to qualify for the subsidy is that the buyer must have a financial dependent, such as a spouse or a child.

“The balance of the purchase price is typically made up of a mortgage bond from a bank,” says Wiseman.

“Other alternatives such as a pension fund-backed loan, or cash contribution, etc. can also be used in terms of this new programme.”

FHFP units in Mountain View are 2-bedroom duplexes with a spacious living area, galley-style kitchen, and a bathroom on the ground floor. Each unit overlooks a paved courtyard area with a water storage tank to collect rainwater harvested from the roof. The units are also fitted with built-in cupboards, and a solar water geyser to save money and grid electricity. The houses are ready for use, and 6 show units are available for viewing.

The Department plans to complete the social housing component of this IRDP project by 2026.

“The social housing sites are in close proximity to the Mountain View project and will provide much-needed affordable rental opportunities within the area. This integrated development approach enables spatial transformation and provides both social and economic opportunities, again highlighting the benefits and necessity of integrated and sustainable development,” says Wiseman.

The 725 Mountain View BNG units for qualifying beneficiaries are housing opportunities provided by government for low-income households registered on the National Housing Needs Register or the relevant Municipal Housing Demand Database.

• Watch: The houses at Mountain View are ready for use.