JOSHCO to build 514 social housing units near Alex

04 August 2017

 

More than 500 low-income-earning families will soon have a roof over their heads after a R274.8-million Lombardy East social housing project that experienced delays over the past three years finally received the go-ahead.

 

JOSHCO, the City of Johannesburg’s social housing entity, recently broke ground at Portion 1 of Erf 357 in Lombardy East, near Alexandra, in Region E, signalling the commencement of the project to develop a total of 514 decent and affordable rental housing units.

These will include 342 double-bedroom units, 155 single-bedroom dwellings and 17 units for people with disabilities.

Mpolai Nkopane, JOSHCO’s Executive Manager for Housing Development, said the project was first proposed by the City in 2014. But it experienced commencement delays after members of the neighbouring community raised a number of objections.

“A section of the community expressed opposition to the project. This necessitated a pause to enable responses before the project could start. All these have now been resolved and the project is cleared to commence,” said Nkopane.

Located along Alexandra Road, the development will also include taxi and bus bays, pedestrian walkways and a children’s playground.

“The units will be available to rent by South African citizens earning between R3 500 and R7 500 a month,” said Nkopane, who added that there was no waiting list yet for the units.

The development is expected to create about 200 jobs and work for a number of local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) during the construction phase. Besides job opportunities, workers will be provided with training accredited by the Construction Educating and Training Authority (CETA) to make them more marketable in the industry going forward.

JOSHCO was allocated R548.8-million from the City’s 2017-2018 financial year to provide social housing to qualifying South African citizens.

Speaking shortly after completing his first 100 days in office, JOSHCO Chief Executive Thamsanqa Ngcezula said the company might during the current financial year pilot students’ accommodation and retirement homes.