The Tshwane metro intends on turning squalid drug dens into student accommodation to alleviate the critical shortage.
Notorious buildings in Pretoria, Melgisedek and Kruger Park flats, would be leased out to private businesses to convert into student accommodation.
This was recently revealed by mayor Stevens Mokgalapa during the State of the Capital Address, where he mentioned that the buildings have been released for student accommodation.
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This was expected to especially benefit the medical students at Melgisedek working across the road at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital.
“Private businesses have been invited to make proposals on how they would develop the municipal building into a student hostel,” he said.
“The proposals would have to include a relocation plan and the implementation of such a process.”
Once all proposals have been received and the relevant administrative processes have been followed, the mayor would then make a formal announcement on the future of the building.
“Inhabitants qualifying for rental stock housing will be moved into those properties, while the others who qualify will be moved into RDP houses,” the Tshwane metro said.
The Melgisedek building on the corner of Steve Biko Street and Annie Botha Avenue has been a thorn in the side of Moot residents in recent years.
The building has become home to vagrants and drug addicts.
Children living at Melgisedek are exposed to illegal activities such as drug use, prostitution, theft and assault daily.
More than 550 people live on the premises without any electricity or running water.
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