744 new homes for Riverside View

The MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, officially broke ground on Phase 4 of the Riverside View Social Housing Development on July 22, addressing the City of Johannesburg’s efforts to tackle the urgent need for social and affordable rental housing.

The event saw Mabaso, accompanied by the Speaker of Council, Margaret Arnolds, board chairperson of Joshco, Theodore Dlamini, and the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) management, as he handed over the site to the contractor.

“This is our last phase, so we have implemented three phases already. We are pushing this programme because we’ve identified the need to construct more rental units in Johannesburg for those who do not qualify for RDP houses. We want to accommodate our residents in more affordable units and reduce frustrations over high rentals in overcrowded backrooms and slum conditions,” said Mabaso.

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The project follows the delivery of more than 1 100 units in the first three phases since September 2023, creating local jobs, empowering women-led businesses through EPWP, and aligning with the city’s strategic objectives.

Mabaso highlighted challenges faced by the department, including project vandalism, funding constraints, and delays, which impact delivery timelines.

“The demand for housing is a moving target, and while we have backlogs, the projects we have initiated are laying a foundation for a sustainable solution to Johannesburg’s housing crisis. We urge our residents not to vandalise projects as it delays progress and wastes resources invested to bring these developments to completion.”

He noted that the city is also advancing hostel redevelopment, informal settlement upgrades, and alternative accommodation plans for residents in unsafe buildings, adding that the recent groundwork will translate into visible results on the ground in the coming months.

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Ward 96 councillor Rufas Maswazi welcomed the project, saying, “This development will bring dignity to our residents while creating local employment opportunities. It will uplift our community and ensure more families have a place they can proudly call home.”

Maswazi added that, as much as this project has been going on for three years, concerns from the community are growing when it comes to the units’ allocation. “Residents complain that when the project was introduced to them, they were told that the project would benefit residents, but now allege that people occupying the units are not from around here.”

Residents earning between R1 800 and R22 000 per month will be eligible to apply for the new units once applications open.

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