The City of Johannesburg’s Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) has received the United Nations 2010 Scroll of Honour Award for its provision of inno- vative housing products and solutions to about 30 000 residents, Joshco CEO Rory Gallocher reports.

The company has, for the past six years, been involved in the refurbishment, maintenance and construction of suitable and sustainable human settlements, resulting in the international recognition it received. “This award signifies a tremendous achievement, highlighted by the fact that the panel of judges unanimously voted for Joshco to receive the prize,” Gallocher says.

“Through this award, Joshco has now become an example to other local municipalities of how sustainable housing solutions can be successfully created and managed, both nationally and abroad. We have received numerous enquiries from other municipalities about how we managed to accomplish the achievement,” Gallocher said at the unveiling of the award to staff members and stakeholders.

He added that the company could not have achieved its success, without the firm poli- tical will and clear legislation resulting from the municipa- lity’s efforts to assist in solving the city’s housing problems.

During Joshco’s six-year life, the company has been able to add 7 327 units to its portfolio by either renovating existing properties, or by building new properties. This represents a capital investment of about R760-million over six years. The company currently manages 8 304 accounts, with about 138 accounts being added every month.

Joshco reports, that during May, it completed its year- long flagship project: the renovation of the 16-storey Citrine Court building, at Bellavista Estate, in Turffontein West. About R23-million was spent to completely revamp the building and bring 79 units back into the residential rental market.

The company says that the building is now fitted with a state-of-the-art security control system and that the building is, once again, a distinct landmark in the area.

Further, Gallocher says that maintaining its often old and rundown rental stock poses huge financial and social challenges. “The physical maintenance of units is a significant challenge, owing to the infrastructure being old in many instances. With Joshco offering some of the lowest rental rates in Johan- nesburg, replacing old installations is sometimes the only answer, but costs a lot more,” he notes.

Social issues also often accompany the refurbishment of residential stock, such as when certain race groups feel that they are being discriminated against. Gallocher says that a fine balance had to be found between satisfying residents’ demands and meeting management requirements.

One of the most pressing challenges is to increase the percentage of the rent collected from its tenants, Joshco reports. Currently, only about 82% of tenants pay their rental fees, while management has set the target at 95%.

“We offer one of the best housing services in the city at, almost certainly, the lowest cost. To continue doing this, we will need to increase the number of paying tenants, or else our other projects may suffer,” he says.

At the unveiling ceremony, Gauteng province member of the mayoral committee for housing Ruby Mathang said that the company had made a sig- nificant contribution to some of the most neglected parts of the city.

“For example, through converting previously all-male hostels in Soweto to family units, and by refurbishing various inner-city buildings that had either been neglected, or were hijacked by homeless people, Joshco has helped to eradicate a number of crime-breeding hot spots in Johannesburg,” he noted.

However, he cautioned that Joshco would increasingly face challenges associated with the constant stream of migrants, who are attracted to the city in the hope of having a better life.

Meanwhile, Joshco has strategic plans to deliver another 15 000 units to lower-medium- and low-income groups within the next five years.