Ekhaya Gardens officially launched

Princess — Ekhaya Gardens has been officially launched by the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) alongside Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements, Clr Anthea Leitch, ward councillor Rene Benjamin, JOSHCO acting CEO Thedi Moropa, and its regional director Mlamleli Belot.

According to Moropa, the light is finally shining for Ekhaya, as this project has been ongoing since November 2019, and it had various setbacks during Covid-19 that delayed its progress.

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Moropa also mentioned that the development of Ekhaya was about 133 billion, and it aims to provide affordable housing options for low- to middle-income residents in the area.

“This development consists of a one-bedroom unit as well as two-bedroom units. Equipped with kitchens, dining areas, and bathrooms. We also have four handicapped-friendly units; these will have wider entrances, lower counter spaces, and friendly access for those who are handicapped,” he said.

Out of 27 000 applications received for the complex, only 30 qualified, and will now call Ekhaya home in the next few weeks.

According to Benjamin, residents in Witpoortjie and Princess received priority during the application process.

“They’ve looked at all the applications and the addresses, and they pulled out the residents first if they qualify,” she said.

She also ensured residents that they would not find themselves in the dark without electricity due to the mismanagement of funds that has been happening recently.

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“These units have prepaid electricity, and what we hope they would also do is prepaid water.

“This is what JOSHCO has done, ensuring that rent and electricity are affordable in the low economy where a lot of people are getting low income so they can at least try to afford,” she added.

She also added that JOSHCO put in place holding ponds that are connected to the main sewerage and Johannesburg water system that will drain water during heavy rains and JoJo tanks are available for storing additional water during shortages.

During the launch, community members were allowed to view the units.