July 2012

In our July issue, Housing in Southern Africa features Joshco, the City of Johannesburg’s inner city social housing provider, with 7 500 units across 22 projects in the inner city set to increase to 15 000 units in the near future.

In Cape Town, Communicare social housing provider will provide 120 units at Bothasig community housing. The R55 million project is due for completion in November.

FNB scores high with first time buyers in the affordable housing market.

The French development agency, AFD, has signed a deal with inner city affordable housing specialist, Afhco. The grant will be used to develop 1 300 units, which will provide accommodation for 3 000 people.

JHI Residential has been awarded the management contract of Southward Mews, a 187 unit residential development, which is situated in Parklands in Table View, Cape Town.

Joburg aims for 15 000 – social rental units

The City of Johannesburg’s social housing provider, Joshco, has 7 500 units spread across 22 projects in the inner city and in greater Johannesburg, providing social rental accommodation for 25 000 tenants. But this is all about to change, as the company sets its sights on managing 15000 units in Johannesburg.

Bothasig community housing

The R55 million Bothasig Gardens housing project, in Cape Town, will provide economic opportunities for the local community as well as providing well located housing rental stock. Six double-storey buildings at Bothasig Gardens will provide 120 units on the 2,5 ha site. The Cape-based social housing provider, Communicare, has designed the units to provide high quality finishes, comfortable accommodation and affordable rentals from R650 per month. The development is due for completion early November.

FNB scores high with first time buyers

First National Bank announced that nine out of 10 of its new customers in the affordable housing market are first time home buyers, with 65% being male and 35% female.

AFD loans R150m to Afhco

The French Ambassador, Jacques Lapouge and Jean-Michel Debrat, Director of Agence Française de Développement, have signed a R150 million loan with Renney Plit, Afhco’s CEO. The deal could signal that the French government’s international funding agency is keen to partner with local developers who have a track record and can handle projects of scale. With AFD’s funding, Afhco will develop 1 300 units, which will provide accommodation for 3 000 residents in Johannesburg’s inner city.

Southwark Mews

JHI Residential has been awarded the management contract for Southwark Mews, in Parkland, Cape Town. The project will provide 187 units and it was recently developed and completed by International Housing Solutions, an international equity funder. The development comprises two bedroom flats with modern finishes, which are available to rent through JHI Residential from R3 850 per month.