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Est 2009 Issue 10 - 2015
12 - 19 March 2015
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Housing MMC Dan Bovu (right) and Ward 60 Councillor Nokuthula Xaba (left) with an elated tenant during the handover ceremony.
Pic: Inner-city Press Agency
Joshco hands over revamped building Renovated and transformed office block now available for inner-city social housing Johannesburg - On Wednesday the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) handed over the newly renovated and converted Europa House in Plein Street to tenants. What was once an office block has been handed over as a new home to tenants like Catherine Kgathola who lived in a tiny room in Hillbrow, where she paid R1 400 for rent and R150 for water and electricity. Her new home, which consists of
a bedroom, communal bathroom and kitchen costs R1050 per month. “Where I used to live was unsafe and conditions were extremely poor. Now I can live in safe, affordable accommodation with my younger brother.” Joshco converted Europa House at 32 Plein Street from a 10 storey office block into 168 communal rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens at a cost of R10 million. The building near Park Station offers communal
living for families as well as individuals. Tenants pay rental of R840 to R1540 based on size. Rooms are available from 12 to 22 square metres. Each floor offers male and female bathrooms and a communal kitchen. There is also 24 hour security with biometric access as well as a generator. During the handover ceremony at the building on Wednesday, Housing MMC Dan Bovu said refurbishment
of Europa House enhances the image of the inner city, since the surrounding buildings are dilapidated and contribute to urban decay. “Joshco’s 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.” Tenants are screened and vetted ac-
cording to set criteria. As they are generally first time renters, the rights and obligations of a responsible tenant are communicated through compulsory workshops. As part of the inner city regeneration Better Buildings Programme, Joshco started taking over management of several buildings in the inner city from 2007. The buildings were refurbished and transformed into communal rental accommodation for lower income groups.