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The Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) has launched the much-anticipated "One Month, One Building" campaign, which aims to provide social housing solutions to low-income households in Johannesburg, beginning with Lufhereng.

The ground-breaking initiative was launched on Friday, 24 March in Lufhereng, Soweto, by Councillor Andrea Leitch, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Human Settlements.

Cllr Leitch said she looks forward to working on this initiative and is excited to see the difference it will make in people’s lives.

Ntshavhani Mutavhatsindi, the Councillor for Ward 53 welcomed the drive and said he looks forward to working with his colleagues in the City to bring back the dignity of people in his community through job creation. 

As part of the campaign launch, Councillor Leitch, accompanied by JOSHCO's Chief Operations Officer (COO), Themba Mathibe, did a walkabout of the facility in Soweto, to inspect its readiness for occupation.

Mathibe said the social housing initiative was part of JOSHCO’s efforts to solve the accommodation shortage in Johannesburg. 

Leitch said JOSHCO’s “One Month, One Building” campaign aims to deliver one housing project per month uninterrupted until all social housing units have been allocated.

"This initiative is a firm expression of our commitment to plan and undertake massive housing projects in a continuous and sustainable manner," she added.

the MMC said social housing was the only human settlements solution where accommodation and rentals are linked to household incomes.

Since inception in 2004, JOSHCO's housing projects have been of high quality, affordable, secure, easily accessible, and well maintained. This has allowed tenants to live close to their workplaces, resulting in an improvement in their socio-economic living conditions. People earning between R1 850 – R22 000 are the targeted group, however due process is followed.

Mathibe said JOSHCO was committed to promoting urban regeneration, support socio-economic development, and foster growth in local economies through Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs).

He said about R184 million had been invested in the development and management of the project in Lufhereng. The City is expected to make a high return in investment on a monthly basis from the project. 

"Social Housing Institutions (SHIs) such as JOSHCO play a vital role in meeting social housing needs such as dealing with the 2020 estimated housing backlog of 448 200 housing units, with an average delivery of only 3 500 housing units per year," said Councillor Leitch.

Rebotile Mahlake added that there are 407 units with options of one or two bedrooms of which nine of the units cater to differently abled people.  

JOSHCO's offerings include affordable rental accommodation, quality building offerings, tenant training and education, community development support, and ongoing reporting to the relevant authorities.

Kenneth Mokono of JOSHCO said while the houses are for rental purposes, only people who qualify will be issued with houses.

“We are enthusiastic about introducing this development to the community and getting public participation,” said Mokono.

By providing quality social housing solutions, JOSHCO contributes to both the City and South Africa's broader goals of promoting social cohesion, economic growth, and the restoration of human dignity.

Issued by the City of Johannesburg