Cissie Gool House occupants welcome affordable housing approval, but stand firm on no evictions

The occupants of Old Woodstock Hospital have welcomed Cape Town City Council's approval of a mixed-income development, which will include affordable housing on the site. 

However, the occupants who renamed the hospital Cissie Gool House are adamant that none of the occupiers will be evicted.

The city says feasible options will be available to occupants who qualify for affordable housing at the site, and the remainder will be relocated.

Housing activists reclaim the city, say that the city of Cape Town's plan for Cissie Gool House offers the best opportunity to provide the occupants with affordable housing.

The city says a lengthy public participation process, along with an open day, was held to discuss proposals for the site.

City Mayco member for human settlements Carl Pophaim says the proposal includes a mix between new development and upgrading of existing facilities and no occupant will be left behind.

"The city remains committed to ensuring that with the existing illegal occupation that we undertake intrinsic remuneration and profiling to ensure that all those who qualify for our affordable model are accommodated, and making sure that anyone else is given alternative accommodation."     

The city says more than 12,000 residential units are in the pipeline, with more to be added as city-owned land continues to be assessed.