Cape Town is moving ahead with plans to transform Woodstock Hospital into a major residential development after the city council granted in-principle approval for the R87 million sale of the property last week.
The project will deliver 500 new homes, including units reserved for households earning between R3 500 and R32 000 per month, marking one of the city’s most significant steps toward expanding affordable housing in well-located urban areas.
Hundreds Currently Occupy the Site
More than 800 people are currently living on the premises without formal authorisation.
Many moved in during 2017, when housing activists from Reclaim the City occupied the building -renaming it Cissie Gool House – to highlight the urgent need for affordable accommodation in Woodstock and Salt River.
Shift from Social Housing to Open-Market Affordable Model
While the City previously considered a traditional social-housing approach targeted at households earning below R22 000, it has opted instead for an open-market affordable housing model.
Developers will be encouraged to keep units affordable through discounted pricing, backed by a blend of private investment, debt financing and equity contributions.
City Assures Residents: No Mass Evictions
Human Settlements Mayco member Carl Pophaim stressed that residents will not face mass removals.
“There will not be an apartheid-style mass eviction in our city,” he said, adding that officials are currently surveying occupants to understand their circumstances before any relocation or development plan proceeds.
Public Participation Reveals Strong Support for Affordable Housing
The decision follows a public-participation process launched in August 2024, which received 236 comments and 172 objections.
Councillor Ian McMahon noted that residents broadly support redevelopment, but insist it must prioritise affordable and social housing while preventing displacement.
Reclaim the City Sets Out Conditions
Reclaim the City reaffirmed its position that:
- All current residents must have the right to remain
- New housing must be secure, genuinely affordable and co-designed with occupants
- Communal living spaces must be safe and well-managed
The movement says the occupation of Cissie Gool House was driven by rising rents, widespread evictions, and the fight to reclaim public land for working-class families.
A Potential Turning Point for Urban Housing
If successful, the redevelopment could become a landmark example of how the city and communities can work together to tackle housing inequality – delivering inclusive, well-located homes while preserving residents’ dignity and agency.
