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A recent reply to a parliamentary question revealed that 2640 social housing units across the Western Cape are being delayed by outstanding approvals, funding and agreements at the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA).

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape is calling on SHRA to urgently remove these blockages and enable projects that are ready to proceed to construction, so that residents are not forced to wait indefinitely for affordable housing.

Eight projects are currently awaiting SHRA funding, grant approval or other related approvals, while the Salt River Market project, has already been approved but remains stalled because its Consolidated Capital Grant agreement has not yet been signed.

The affected projects include developments in Woodstock, Mitchells Plain, Elsies River, Parow, Belhar, Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay. Collectively, they represent 2 640 much-needed social housing opportunities, with approximately R1.12 billion in SHRA funding required across the affected projects.

Furthermore, housing delivery delays in the province are not a result of the provincial department forfeiting funds to the value of R821 million as accused by opposition parties, but by national governments cuts to housing grants totalling at R825 million for the 2023/24 and the 2024/25 financial years. These cuts reduce the availability of resources to deliver and places further pressure on projects already facing approval blockages.

Dirk Wessels, MPP, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Infrastructure, said, “It is unacceptable that 2 640 social housing opportunities are being held back by administrative and funding blockages at a national entity. The Western Cape has projects in the pipeline that can deliver homes and real opportunities for residents, but these projects cannot proceed when SHRA fails to provide the approvals and funding required.”

Wessels added: “Capable government means removing obstacles to delivery, not allowing bureaucracy to keep people waiting. The DA will continue putting pressure on SHRA to act, while the Western Cape Government explores responsible funding options to ensure that residents are not left behind.”

The DA calls on the SHRA to urgently finalise outstanding approvals, funding decisions and agreements and provide clear timelines for each affected project. Residents should not have to wait for homes because government institutions cannot get their processes moving. The Western Cape is ready to deliver – SHRA must do its part.

Issued by Dirk Wessels, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Infrastructure