MMC assesses progress on Social Housing projects in Roodepoort

Social housing is meant to assist individuals with affordable rental housing in hopes of contributing to spatial, economic and social development throughout the country.

On 17 March, the MMC for Housing in the City of Johannesburg, Mlungisi Mabaso, spent the day in Roodepoort, assessing the progress of two social housing projects – the Legae Social Housing Project on the corner of Nefdt and Lambert Streets, and the Princess Social Housing Project on Harry Road.

Mabaso was joined by officials from the Department of Housing and the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) for a walk through each of the sites, starting at the Legae Project. Among the JOSHCO officials present were the company’s CEO, Viktor Rambau, and board chairperson, Theodore Dhlamini. The MMC stated that that project was in an advanced stage of completion. Having cost the City more than R35 million, it is set to yield 92 rental units, each with either one or two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom and dining room.

As for the Princess Social Housing Project, there is not much visible progress from when the project was launched in 2019 by former MMC Meshack van Wyk, and while the current MMC admitted progress had been slow, he stated that the expected completion date is 2022 (mid-2022 according an earlier interview with JOSHCO). This development is set to yield a small central community hall, as well as 333 rental units, costing the City in excess of an estimated R120 million.

Upon completion, the units from both projects will be available to Region C residents with an income of between R1 500 and R15 000 per month before deductions. “The beneficiaries of both projects will enjoy the benefit of living in a safe and secure environment conducive for singles and families,” stated Mabaso.

Over the next few weeks, JOSCHO will communicate the application process for those interested in renting one of the units, at which point the Record will publish an update.