SA Affordable Housing May / June 2018 // Issue: 70 | Page 34

It ’ s refreshing to see property developments that are the first to offer affordable housing in an area that is hungry for it ; this is exactly what Caliber Properties ’ recent development did .
PROJECTS
CALIBER PROPERTIES
The Gayles in Evander , Mpumalanga , is more than just a house .

Breaking ground , offering homes

It ’ s refreshing to see property developments that are the first to offer affordable housing in an area that is hungry for it ; this is exactly what Caliber Properties ’ recent development did .
By Ntsako Khosa

The Gayles in Evander , Mpumalanga has a land mass of at least eight hectares and , before digging in , Caliber kicked the project off with a market study , which reveals that there is huge interest from Sasol and other mines in the area .

“ There ’ s a serious shortage of housing for rental and ownership , there ’ s a lot of potential here ,” says Marlisé Taljaard , development manager of Caliber . What the study also found is that The Gayles is in the affordable bracket and gives value to first time buyers . “ People over the age of 50 , who are scaling down , also found value in the estate ,” she adds .
Construction on the project is divided into three phases . The first is 80 % complete and fully occupied , with the second phase filling up fast . Earthworks began in 2013 .
“ It is still in progress we are selling and building as we go along ,” shares Taljaard . The complex has 324 units with an estimated size between 43 and 86m 2 . Units are made up of two bedrooms and one bathroom as well as three bedrooms and two bathrooms – both units include a lounge , a melamine kitchen with post Formica tops , electrical hobs and ovens , white melamine cupboards in the bedrooms and tiles throughout the house .
“ Fifty square metres of grass are provided at each house , with a washing line , paving and aprons around the house . It ’ s a good product with more than the basics ,” says Taljaard . Boundary walls with a gate are installed to fence off the back yard . Rental prices range from about R5 000 up to R7 000 a month , while the free-standing homes have a price of between R554 825 and R900 000 .
The site forms part of the Govan Mbeki Municipality . It is adjacent to the R580 between Evander and Secunda and is accessed from the N17 highway . “ It takes 10 to 15 minutes
Interior finishes are basic but are the highest quality and are low maintenance .
to drive to Secunda . The estate is also closely located to a big mall and public facilities like schools and hospitals ,” says Taljaard .
With the offering of an affordable product is top of mind , the company made use of building materials that require low maintenance . Materials such as concrete roof tiles , facebrick and steel windows were selected to achieve this .
See more on page 34 .
CALIBER PROPERTIES
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MAY - JUNE 2018
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING