As part of government's efforts to increase affordable housing, Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, will tomorrow, 26 May 2026 launch a social housing project in the City of Cape Town. 

Located in Sommerset, the Somerlife social housing project is one of the well-located housing projects signifying integrated human settlements in the country. It is closer to social amenities and economic activities. On completion, the project will yield just over a thousand units. 

Government has set a target to deliver 15 000 social housing units between 2024 and 2029. 
The Minister's launch of a social housing project will precede the tabling of the department's Budget Vote Policy Statement, scheduled for Wednesday, 27 May 2026.  

Post the Budget Vote Speech, Minister Simelane will deliver a keynote address at the Investment Dialogue hosted by the Housing Development Agency (HDA), an agency of the Department of Human Settlements.
The Investment Dialogue seeks to mobilise the private sector, including banking institutions and developers to partner with the department to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing, mainly in the Cities amidst rapid urbanisation with huge demand for decent and affordable housing units. 

The details of the week's activities are as follows: 

1.SOCIAL HOUSING LAUNCH 

Date: Tomorrow, 26 May 2026 
Time: 14h00 
Venue: Somerlife Social Housing, Somerset West




2.BUDGET VOTE SPEECH 

Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026 
Venue: Goodhope Chamber, Parliament precinct 
Time: 10h00 

3.HDA INVESTMENT DIALOGUE
Date: Thursday, 28 May 2026 
Time: 18h30 
Venue: Radisson Collection Hotel, Cape Town 

Enquiries: Tsekiso Machike, Spokesperson to the Minister on 078 237 3900 Tsekiso.machike@dhs.gov.za   

Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements, Govan Mbeki House 240, Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria