SA Affordable Housing September - October 2016 // Issue: 60 | Page 15

COVER STORY
Communicare is a provider of rental housing that connects people to a world where they can be supported , flourish and uplift themselves .
" Given the country ’ s history and our historic role in shaping the City of Cape Town , we consider it important that Communicare is actively building inclusive neighbourhoods and complexes that offer opportunities to all Cape Town ’ s diverse people ."
Linking Communicare ’ s role to the country ’ s history Houston stresses : “ Given our historic role in shaping the City of Cape Town , we consider it important that Communicare actively builds inclusive neighbourhoods and complexes that offer opportunities to all Cape Town ’ s diverse people .” Communicare ’ s development plans also involve implementing urban renewal projects in neighbourhoods where the organisation has substantial property holdings to contribute to reversing economic , social and environmental decline in these suburbs . Tackled strategically , this urban renewal will improve the welfare of the areas ’ residents while also creating new opportunities for economic and social inclusion .
Densification : the redevelopment of Communicare ’ s Drommedaris complex ( seen at the back ) resulted in the addition of 219 new units ( seen in front ).
Houston says this is about more than throwing diverse people together . “ Moving forward , we are engaging with our tenants to build real cohesion and healthy integration .” The organisation ’ s exciting new social development programme focuses on creating an environment that supports the economic mobility and selfreliance of its tenants . This involves a multifaceted approach and Communicare is partnering with a range of organisations to make successful interventions with its tenants in the fields of education , job market skills development , life-skills and financial literacy .
“ Our refreshed brand speaks to who we are and what we plan to achieve ,” explains Houston . “ Communicare is a provider of rental housing that connects people to a world where they can be supported , flourish and uplift themselves as active participants in Cape Town ’ s vibrant economy . Our team is committed to be service-driven and forward thinking . While we offer a personal and trusted service to our tenants and purchasers we also commit to being responsive to the social and economic realities in the broader Cape Town community .”
Anthea Houston , chief executive officer of Communicare .
With a housing backlog of over 400 000 families in Cape Town , Communicare is set to continue playing a major role in addressing the country ’ s housing challenge by building complexes that are places in which families and communities thrive .
AFFORDABLE
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