JOSHCO makes Joburg a more liveable city
One of JOSHCO’s flagship projects is City Deep where they have converted a hostel and developed new rental units.
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) and the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) unveiled the City Deep Estate project at 100 Heidelberg Road, City Deep on Wednesday December 3.
JOSHCO was led by its CEO, Rory Gallocher and chairperson Zeona Jacobs, while CoJ – City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Parks Tau and MMC for Housing Cllr Dan Bovu.
Within ten years, JOSHCO, a CoJ owned entity which has received an unqualified audit over the past eight years (clean audit over the last six years), has invested more than R1,8 billion towards making Joburg a more liveable city.
By the end of May next year, 328 new units will have been completed with the rental price ranging from R834 to R2 983. There are 380 already completed conversion units with a rental price ranging from R1 228 to R2 637.
Rory Gallocher, CEO of JOSHCO, said it is not nice to see people of Johannesburg living in an unsafe place.
“We started in 2004 and I always tell my colleagues that JOSHCO adds value to families in a happy and productive way. Today Johannesburg is a better and happier place to live. Our priority will always be service delivery, and our ingredient to prosper is the quality of our government,” he said.
Cllr Bovu introduced the mayor by saying that his department gave three houses to families in Fleurhof, two of those families have people with disabilities.
“This reminds me of Sophiatown. The mixture of race and people in these areas symbolises our history, really African. With over 7 000 units that we are managing, we have changed the face of hostels. Workers and fellow South African must not continue living in hostels,” explained MMC Cllr Bovu.
Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Parks Tau said the day was chosen by Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, because it represents a flagship of multiple of things that the government wants to do.
“Together with JOSHCO we are creating living environment closer to the CBD. It is integral because it is no longer about counting the numbers of houses we built, but inclusive with other opportunities provided by urban renewal. Transport will also be more accessible,” noted Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Parks Tau, citing Corridors of Freedom.
Ward 57 Cllr Faeeza Chame congratulated JOSHCO on their 10th anniversary. She said: “I would like to congratulate JOSHCO on their 10th anniversary. I trust that the CoJ and JOSHCO understand that providing social housing requires more than just providing the physical structure. We have to take into account that each housing development has consequences for economic and social growth of every individual who lives in it.
“My wish is for all who will occupy these units to keep them decent, safe and as comfortable as possible. I will ensure with the help of the new tenants and stakeholders that service delivery is done accordingly. It is important for me to engage and promote stability and build long term relationships with JOSHCO and the tenants.”
JOSHCO was established on March 24 a decade ago. They can be contacted on 011 406 7300, fax 011 404 2504 or email info@joshco.co.za or visit them at 137 Sivewright Avenue, New Doornfontein.
