R188m for Joburg inner city housing

© John Williams – 123RF.com

The amount is in addition to the R136.5m the city has already committed to housing developments in the inner city for the 2017/2018 financial year.

City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba said the economic revival of the inner city is a priority, and is key to creating an inclusive and prosperous city for all residents.

Mayor Mashaba said the City of Johannesburg faces a serious housing challenge with a 300,000 unit backlog, and he had repetitively stressed the need for provincial and national government’s support to ensure that this problem is progressively addressed.

“It is important to understand that housing remains a national and provincial competency in terms of the Constitution, and the City of Johannesburg is reliant on grants from national and provincial government in order to build houses for our people,” Mashaba said.

He also thanked Sisulu for her commitment to working together in finding solutions to the city’s housing challenges, especially in the inner city.

“I am happy that the interests of our residents are being prioritised, even at provincial and national level. We will now focus on the revision of our housing plan to make the necessary provision for this additional funding,” he said.