On Monday at 4pm, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, in partnership with the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and the City of Johannesburg, will hand over the refurbished South Fork Flats at Lenasia Flats, comprising 114 units, to the contractors.
Head of Communication for the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, Tahir Sema told GLOBE POST: “I am excited about this project and the eventual handover of title deeds to deserving beneficiaries. The Lenasia handover forms part of a broader 10–12 month provincial refurbishment programme targeting a total of 772 provincially owned rental housing units located across various areas within the City of Johannesburg. The initiative aims to upgrade ageing rental stock and ultimately transfer ownership to long-term qualifying tenants.”
The Department introduced the main contractor and managing Professional Team to the community at the provincially owned Octavia Hills Flats in Fordsburg, officially marking the start of the large-scale refurbishment project.
The housing units will undergo comprehensive structural, civil, electrical and mechanical upgrades to ensure safety, regulatory compliance and improved living conditions. The scope of work has been detailed in signed-off Bills of Quantities compiled after conditional assessments were conducted to address environmental and structural concerns.
Sema said: “Upon completion of the refurbishment programme, qualifying long-term rental tenants will receive title deeds, granting them full ownership and long-term security of tenure. The programme represents a strategic decision by the Provincial Government not only to transfer immovable assets, but to ensure that beneficiaries receive homes that are dignified, safe, liveable and fit for purpose,”
The 772 units earmarked for refurbishment include 114 units at South Fork Flats in Lenasia, 126 units at Octavia Hills Flats in Fordsburg, and 482 units in Eldorado Park. The Eldorado Park units are spread across Harlem Flats (36 units), Dallas Flats (198 units), Hillbrow Flats (168 units) and Westgate Flats (80 units).
In line with government’s commitment to inclusive economic growth, a minimum of 30% of the project value has been allocated to locally based SMMEs, prioritising local labour and small business participation.
The Department will continue to monitor implementation to ensure quality workmanship, transparency and timely delivery. A beneficiary education programme will also run concurrently with the refurbishment process to empower residents on home maintenance, property security and the safekeeping of title deeds.
“The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements remains committed to providing safe, sustainable and integrated human settlements for all residents,” he added.
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