There is new hope for the thousands of people who earn too much to qualify for a government housing subsidy but not enough to get a bond from a bank.
The "gap housing plan" is intended to unlock provincial government and private-sector money to provide people with a deposit to buy a home.
Leading employers, such as Pick 'n Pay, have been in talks with housing and local government MEC Marius Fransman about the plan.
It envisages companies making substantial contributions on behalf of employees, and the province contributing 50 percent of the deposit.
Fransman unveiled his gap housing plan to the Cape Argus on the eve of his budget presentation in the provincial legislature today.
So far, three developments may be targeted: 300 houses at Namaquasands on the West Coast; houses to be built on provincial land in the Blue Downs area; and properties being developed on 10ha of prime land next to Somerset Mall in Somerset West.
Fransman has also instructed his department to submit a proposal for a pilot area in the central city, especially for government officials who have to travel long distances to and from work.
"There are too many people having to travel long distances to their workplace, and this scheme will help people not only to be closer to town, but also to integrate our communities and change the face of our city," he said.
"We are calling on employers, businesses and unions to partake in this strategy to house the poor."
The gap housing plan feeds into Fransman's vision of creating sustainable and integrated settlements, in addition to building houses.
In the gap housing areas, black, coloured and white families are set to co-exist - giving the province a glimpse of true integration and redefining the apartheid planning model which still dominates the city and the province.
The people who will qualify for the proposed scheme are those earning between R3 500 and R7 000 a month, who will be given the deposit on their first home. They will then have to make repayments on the balance.
In his budget speech today Fransman was to unveil a R691-million housing budget set to deliver 16 000 houses and 18 000 serviced sites.
He was also set to announce that the rapid delivery of housing will be supported by the revised housing subsidy system.
From this month, households earning less than R1 500 a month will no longer have to make a contribution, while those earning between R1 500 and R3 500 will still pay a R2 479 contribution but get the full subsidy.