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Joburg Housing Crisis: Mega Projects Aim to Solve Housing Backlog
Joburg Plans to Ease Housing Crisis with Mega Projects and Acquisitions
The City of Johannesburg has unveiled an ambitious plan to combat its housing crisis, focusing on low-income and unemployed residents. With over 500,000 residents in Johannesburg alone facing housing backlogs and 1.3 million Gauteng residents on the provincial housing waiting list, the city is taking decisive action to address this pressing issue.
Mixed Housing Plan Targets Low-Income Residents
Mlungisi Mabaso, the City of Joburg MMC for Human Settlements, has outlined a mixed housing plan aimed at creating affordable and accessible housing. The plan includes a variety of strategies, such as mega-housing projects, inner-city acquisitions, and the upgrading of informal settlements.
“We are confident about effectively dealing with priorities in the department of human settlements, which include addressing the issue of backlogs – delivering more houses to people in need,” Mabaso stated.
Mega-Housing Projects in Joburg
- Fleurhof Mega-Project
- This ongoing project will integrate Meadowlands Hostel in Soweto to create 7,000 housing opportunities by 2025.
- Lufhereng Mega-Project
- Located on 2,000 hectares in Soweto, this development is expected to accommodate over 30,000 households with a variety of housing types and tenure options.
- Southern Farm Development
- A R27 billion biodiversity low-cost housing project in Devland, focusing on eco-friendly and affordable housing solutions.
Acquisition of Inner-City Buildings
The Johannesburg Property Company has been mandated to acquire unused buildings across the city, transforming them into affordable housing units. These efforts are intended to maximize housing opportunities within the inner city while reducing homelessness and urban decay.
Informal Settlement Upgrades
As part of its phased housing plan, Johannesburg is working on upgrading 67 informal settlements in the southern regions of the city. This initiative includes:
- Providing serviced stands (land with essential utilities).
- Constructing access roads.
- Delivering basic services such as water, electricity, and sanitation.
These upgrades empower residents to build their own homes while improving their quality of life.
Redevelopment of Hostels
Mabaso also announced a hostel redevelopment program, focusing on revitalizing outdated hostels in Johannesburg and Midrand. This program will contribute an additional 3,000 housing opportunities to the city’s inventory.
The Road Ahead for Joburg’s Housing Crisis
Johannesburg’s housing initiatives represent a holistic approach to alleviating the backlog. The city is confident that mega projects, informal settlement upgrades, and inner-city acquisitions will provide long-term solutions for its low-income and unemployed residents.
Get Involved
How do you think these mega projects will impact Johannesburg’s housing crisis? Share your thoughts and suggestions for further improvement in the comments below.
