JOHANNESBURG – What was once an office block in the inner city, Plein Street, is now a new home to tenants like Belinda Ratyana, Cathrine Kgathola and Odwa Malusi to name the few.
These new homes consists of bedroom, communal bathroom and kitchen. Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) has converted Europa House from a ten-storey office block into 168 communal rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens at a cost of R10 million. Tenants pay rental of R840 to R1 540 based on size. There is 24 hour security with biometric access and a generator.
This project is aimed at residents of Johannesburg inner city and Region F. MMC of Housing Cllr Dan Bovu said refurbishment of Europa House is a great step in enhancing the image of the inner city, since the surrounding buildings are dilapidated and contribute to the current state of urban decay.
“Joshco’s primary objective is to transform the lives of their tenants by providing quality accommodation that is sustainable and energy efficient. It further contributes through its repossession and refurbishment of bad buildings in the city,” he said.
People who qualifies for this project are citizens who earn between R3 500 and R7 500 per month, people who neither qualify for RDP houses or mortgage bonds.
Odwa Malusi said the end of the month will be now peaceful, as no landlord will be knocking on his door for rent. Belinda Ratyana thanked Joshco and the government for the safe shelter she has now.
Also present at the handover was local Ward 60 Cllr Nokuthula Xaba.
