The municipality owns 25 old-age home facilities, some in the form of flats and complexes with 50 units per complex.
These homes are situated in different areas across the metro to cater for the housing needs of senior citizens.
According to the Ekurhuleni metro, in order for senior citizens to qualify as residents of the council-owned old age homes they must be at the age of 60 years, be South African citizens and be residents of Ekurhuleni.
However, exceptions can be made in different circumstances based on merit.
For a minimal fee of R75.05 plus standard monthly levies ranging from R233 to R389, senior citizens get to be housed comfortably at safe old age homes owned by the metro.
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The municipality said a fundamental criterion for the aged to be accommodated at these council facilities is the elders’ ability to look after themselves and earn a monthly income (individually or jointly) within the bracket of R1 501 and R4 000 so as to be able to pay the monthly five per cent rental fee, starting at R75.05.
According to the metro, at the council-owned old age homes elders are charged monthly levies to cover fees for assessment rates, service charges, administration, maintenance costs and water consumption.
The levy amounts that are charged in addition to the five per cent of income are as follows:
• Double unit levy is R292.31.
• Single unit levy is R233.85.
• One-bedroom unit levy is R292.30.
• Two-bedroom unit levy is R389.74.
Electricity consumption is billed separately.
Should the tenants’ joint monthly income be lower than R1 501 the elders will only pay the stipulated monthly levy.
Over the years the metro has been battling technical faults with lifts inside the old age flats, affecting the mobility of the aged.
The municipality is currently on course to ensure the safety of the elders by setting aside a budget of R12-million for the complete refurbishment of the lifts in nine of its complexes.
In these complexes, the elderly are guaranteed maximum security with the provision of functional lifts, secure gates, fencing around the complexes and an adequate external lighting system.
Prior to occupation, elders are expected to pay a deposit equal to one month’s rent.
Accommodation at council-owned old age homes or flats is reserved for the aged only and children are not allowed to reside permanently with tenants.
These are the old age homes that can be found in Benoni: The Old People’s Home, Fairleads Retirement Village, Village Walk Retirement Village, Rynpark Old Age Homes, Country Life Retirement Village and the Methodist Homes for the Aged.
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