Anthea Leitch Launches Affordable Housing Project, Applications Now Open

Anthea Leitch, the MMC for human settlements in the City of Joburg, unveiled a new affordable housing initiative in Roodepoort, located south of Joburg.

The city invested R35 million into the project to develop 92 housing units catering to mixed-income qualifying households as reported by IOL. These households have a gross income range of R3,500 to R22,000 per month. The project includes 28 one-bedroom and 64 two-bedroom units, each equipped with a kitchen, dining area, and bathroom.

Leitch acknowledged that while many individuals can afford the rental costs, some applicants fail to meet the screening criteria. She urged those who meet the criteria should have the opportunity to reside without feeling intimidated.

The Legae Affordable Rental Project commenced its application process on May 8, utilising a QR Code-based pre-screening method. The announcement reached applicants through social media accounts and the official platforms of the Department of Human Settlements.

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Leitch revealed that the project received an overwhelming number of 7,070 applications, leaving 6,978 individuals disappointed and in search of alternative residential options in a city that can often be inhospitable for those seeking affordable living conditions. She requested patience from the applicants, assuring them that the screening process would be completed by the end of the week.

Leitch emphasised that decent and affordable housing demand surpasses the available supply. Despite the daunting scale of the challenge, particularly in light of the significant housing backlog inherited by the new Government of Local Unity, she expressed inspiration rather than overwhelm. Recognising Johannesburg as a prosperous city within an affluent nation, Leitch believed they could accomplish even more than China had achieved. Consequently, she viewed initiatives like the Legae project as significant strides in the right direction, deserving of celebration.

According to the municipality, the pre-screening form evaluates eligibility for a rental unit based on factors such as age, earnings, credit profile, citizenship status, and residence.

The project has established a helpdesk to facilitate the application process and offer support. The new system also includes stakeholder engagement, with meetings involving the ward councillor at the Roodepoort Civic Hall and the City Hall. This automated application system has been given the name “e-Lease.”

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Photo: Twitter / @Anthea Leitch