The City of Johannesburg’s social housing entity, JOSHCO (Johannesburg Social Housing Company) launched Hoek Street Social Housing Project in the inner city.
“This marks an important step in the City’s efforts to respond to the most urgent service delivery needs of our people who seek safe and affordable housing,” he said at the event.
The R96-million development is a 10-storey building that was initially built in 1956. It has biometric access and comprises of 265 single rooms apartment units with shared ablutions facilities in the high rise building. Hoek Street Social Housing Project provides affordable rental to accommodate mixed-income households with gross monthly incomes between R3400 to R9176 per household.
City of Johannesburg Mayor, Herman Mashaba said the launch was his way of showing commitment to restoring the dignity of residents of this City so they too have a place to call home. Mashaba recalled the challenges he was faced with upon entering government, where he discovered a backlog of over 300 000 of people who can afford to pay for accommodation. However, this missing middle income group are people who are above the income threshold to qualify for RDP housing and fall short of qualifying for bonds.
“Buildings in the inner city present an opportunity for Johannesburg’s next gold rush. I look forward to seeing the face of the inner city change to one of opportunity for our people once construction commences for the 84 buildings that the private sector will redevelop into affordable social housing, student accommodation and small business premises,” he said.
He commended the commitment shown by MMC for Housing, Cllr Meshack Van Wyk, referring to Mr Tumelo and Mr Christopher Dyani (Joshco leadership) as showing stern leadership.
