850 old Woodstock Hospital occupants concerned they will be left homeless

More than 850 residents currently occupying the old Woodstock Hospital, renamed Cissie Gool House, have voiced concerns about their potential displacement as the City of Cape Town moves forward with plans to redevelop the site into 500 social housing units.

The hospital, occupied since 2017, has been a refuge for many vulnerable individuals and families. Now, with redevelopment plans underway, residents fear they might not meet the city’s criteria to qualify for the new housing units, leaving them at risk of homelessness.

Calls for Meaningful Engagement

Community groups, including Reclaim the City and the Woodstock Residents’ Association, have called on the city to engage more constructively with the current occupants and the broader Woodstock community. They argue that the public participation process currently underway is inadequate.

Karen Hendricks, a leader of Reclaim the City and a resident of Cissie Gool House, criticized the city’s approach:

“We think this public participation process is such a flawed and box-ticking process because the city is saying that they will only engage with the occupiers after the public participation process.”

Hendricks emphasized that the city should have collaborated with the residents from the beginning to ensure that their needs and concerns were adequately addressed.

Public Participation Process

The public comment period for the proposed sale of the site is set to close on 31 January. The city has stated that it will consider all input received during this period before engaging directly with the occupants.

Carl Pophaim, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, said the city is committed to gathering meaningful and feasible input on the proposed development:

“The city has been clear about the intention to garner meaningful, feasible, and constructive written input on the proposed vision for this site, which includes the development of affordable housing opportunities for qualified residents.”

However, Hendricks argues that the city’s approach to public participation lacks depth:

“Meaningful engagement should have been the first thing before embarking or starting the public participation process.”

Fears of Displacement

A central concern for many occupants is the stringent eligibility requirements for social housing. These requirements often include proof of income, formal employment, or South African citizenship—criteria that many current residents might not meet.

For residents like Hendricks and others at Cissie Gool House, the redevelopment represents a potential loss of stability and shelter.

Broader Community Impact

The proposed redevelopment also raises broader questions about gentrification and displacement in Woodstock, a historically diverse area facing rising property prices and redevelopment pressures.

Community organizations argue that the redevelopment should prioritize the needs of the existing occupants, many of whom have lived at Cissie Gool House for years and have built a sense of community there.

Next Steps

The city has yet to issue a comprehensive response to the concerns raised by residents and advocacy groups. Once the public comment period ends, the city plans to engage directly with the occupants to assess their needs and concerns.

Pophaim assured that all feasible options would be considered:

“All feasible options will be assessed during the four-month-long public participation process.”

Residents Demand Transparency

Residents and advocacy groups are demanding greater transparency and a more inclusive process moving forward. They argue that the redevelopment should not come at the expense of the vulnerable communities who currently call Cissie Gool House home.

As the 31 January deadline for public comments approaches, the outcome of this process will determine whether the city can strike a balance between redevelopment and the needs of existing occupants.

The situation underscores the complexities of urban redevelopment in South Africa, where the push for modernization often clashes with the needs of marginalized communities. For the residents of Cissie Gool House, the fight for their homes is far from over.