Buffalo city earmarked to provide decent affordable rental homes to hundreds of low and middle income workers is currently underway in four housing projects at the two cities.
This is part of a departmental social housing programme responsible for integration of communities, socially, economically and structurally.
Through this programme, the department provides grant funding to private developers to build rental homes for low and middle income workers in an effort to curb spiralling of slum houses in the cities by providing alternative affordable shelter to low and middle income workers.
This current financial year, the department has approved an amount of R86 million on all four projects (Park Towers in the Nelson Mandela Metro, Emerald Sky, Southernwood, Reservoir Mews all in East London)
These rental housing units will accommodate workers earning between R3 500 and R7 500 per month and are in close proximity to the city, malls, health facilities and other social amenities and work place.
The rental units are in Nelson Mandela Metro (Park Towers, 176 units) Buffalo City (Emerald Sky project 176, Southernwood 249, Reservoir Mews 429). Both cities attract hundreds of people coming into cities looking for employment; hence priority is given to these cities for rental housing development.
All these projects are at an advanced stage of construction. 48 beneficiaries have already taken occupation of the completed units in Park Towers at Nelson Mandela Metro.
Completed construction work will yield 990 rental housing units at a total value of R86 million rands on completion of all the projects in both cities.
The department in consultation with municipalities is identifying land which will be set aside for piloting of the community residential units in Nelson Mandela Metro, Lukhanji, Kouga, Camdeboo, King Sabata Dalindyebo and Intsika Yethu municipalities.
The community residential units is a new programme aimed at providing secure rental tenure for lower income groups (persons with an income between R800 to R3 500 per month.)
Contact:
Lwandile Sicwetsha
Cell: 071 6711 770 or 079 873 6400
Tel: 043 711 9534
Fax: 086 645 2757
