Meshack van Wyk, MMC for Housing in the City of Johannesburg writes:
I wish the residents of Johannesburg a blessed festive season and I urge you to be safe during this joyous period. Let us hold hands and make Johannesburg a more inclusive, safe and sustainable space for all of us and future generations.
When I took office in May this year, there were a number of challenges within the portfolio that I needed to address. I had to endure much criticism from members of the public as well as from other tiers of government for the poor performance of the department.
I nevertheless asserted that, even though I had only been in this position for a very short period, I remained fully accountable and committed to achieving the targeted priorities for the remainder of the term.
Housing is one of the most challenging yet incredibly dynamic and important portfolios. It is comprised of the Department of Housing and the municipal entity, the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco).
At the very core, the development of well-located sustainable human settlements remains a key function of this portfolio. A key priority for housing finds expression in outcome three of the Growth and Development Strategy (2040) which is aimed at creating an inclusive society with enhanced quality of life that provides meaningful redress through pro-poor development.
Johannesburg is one of the key metropolises in Africa and by virtue of this, we have amplified our focus in coming up with urban solutions that are sustainable and responsive to the needs of our citizens.
Housing involves so much more than the delivery of houses as we endeavour towards creating integrated communities who have access to social and institutional amenities as well as economic opportunities.
The work of the Housing Department is structured around seven key performance areas:
- Upgrading informal settlements by re-blocking, alignment shacks, providing basic services, water, sewer, access roads and electricity through City Power and Eskom
- Creation of mixed-income housing opportunities in integrated developments for households including households in the housing database, special cases and military veterans
- Construction of transitional housing units (TRU) within the inner city
- Construction of serviced sites/stands
- Transfer of title deeds to the eligible beneficiaries
- Upgrading and surfacing of kilometres of roads in existing RDP projects
- Installation of solar geysers for the housing beneficiaries.
Joshco is the entity responsible for delivering affordable and sustainable social housing in Johannesburg and is targeted to address the needs of the gap market (such as those who do not qualify for RDP housing or a home loan). Joshco’s core business function includes the development of social rental housing; refurbishment, housing management; upgrading and management of hostels.
Joshco’s project portfolio consists of:
- Converting single-sex hostels to family units and managing thereof
- Purchasing, rehabilitating and managing certain inner-city buildings
- Developing and managing new social housing projects
- Creating different market segments
- Development and management of student accommodation.
