The City of Johannesburg celebrated 10 years of the existence of its social housing entity (JOSHCO) at Orlando Ekhaya in Orlando East last Tuesday.
Orlando Ekhaya is an affordable rental housing project developed by JOSHCO on behalf of the City of Johannesburg.
Orlando Ekhaya is constructed in three phases:
Phase 1: 102 units developed through converting the single-sex hostel into family units. This was completed in 2011.
Phase 2: 76 units developed through converting the existing heritage building from single-sex accommodation to family units (to be completed by July 2014)
Phase 3: 112 new four-storey walk up units developed as in fill on vacant land within the former hostel side (to be completed in blocks between April and July )
All former hostel residents have already been accommodated in phase 1 of the development. The remaining 188 units will be allocated to qualifying applicants from the surrounding areas in June and July 2014.
MMC for Economic Development Ruby Mathang, who was at the event, said that he is pleased to see that dignity has been given back to “hostel dwellers”.
“We are proud of the restoration of the dignity that has been given to our people,” he said.
Executive Major of the City of Johannesburg Councillor Parks Tau said “We have been progressively making changes in the City skyline in line with the GDS 2040 Strategy of mixed use development and high density accommodation.
