Tshwane to vet potential residents of multimillion-rand social housing project
“Applications for Phase 1 opened on September 20 and closed on October 1. Thus far, we have received 4 330 walk-in applications and 2 300 online applications.”
The Tshwane metro will begin the next process of vetting over 7 000 potential tenants, who applied for rental space at the Pretoria CBD’s multimillion-rand social housing project in Marabastad.
The housing project is managed by Housing Company Tshwane (HCT), a housing entity of the Tshwane metro.
Human settlements MMC Mpho Mehlape-Zimu said the Marabastad Townlands Social Housing Project received great interest as phase 1 of applications were closed.
“Applications for the phase opened on September 20 and closed on October 1. Thus far, we have received 4 330 walk-in applications and 2 300 online applications.”
She said as of September 28, there were 501 eligible applications for the 691 units.
Mehlape-Zimu said the project would be completed in two phases and Phase 2 would consist of 509 units.
“The rest of the applications are still being processed together with the pre-screening of online applications.
“The next step is vetting, followed by pre-tenant training, the full application process and allocations.”
This comes as the metro said it was committed to delivering quality and dignified low-cost government housing to qualifying residents.
The rental applications for Tshwane’s R508-million social housing project for low/middle-income earners had been progressing well, said Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams.
Williams and Mehlape-Zimu held an oversight visit at the social housing project last month.
“During the visit, I was impressed to note the great progress that had been made as the Townlands estate is now taking shape.
“It is the biggest social housing project currently being built in Gauteng,” he said.
“Since 2016, it has been a core priority to ensure that we conclude this project. Despite numerous delays including the Covid-19 lockdown, we have pushed for the project to be finalised.”
Williams said the housing project was now close to completion.
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In the meantime, for more information, residents can send queries to townlandsenquiries@tshwane.gov.za
Beneficiaries of the social housing units in the CBD would be residents of Tshwane who earned between R1 500 and R15 000 per month, said mayoral spokesperson Sipho Stuurman.
The amenities at the building would include a children’s playground, sporting facilities, community hall and tuck shop.
Stuurman said the project was one of the HCT mandates to develop and deliver good affordable rental property to the community of Tshwane.
“This helps to bring the community close to the workplace within the CBD.”
Previously, Stuurman said rent at the units would range between R625 to R4 860.
“HCT will, however, advertise the project through social media, radio and newspaper platforms for pre-application forms which require no money to obtain.
“At no point will HCT require any form of money during this process until the tenant’s application is successful and a leasing agreement is presented.”
His comments came after the metro urged residents to ignore a phoney message on social media asking them to “apply” to rent rooms at the flats.
“The message is a scam,” said Stuurman.
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