City Deep

Johannesburg's historically shameful singlesex hostel environment has given way to alternative living in JOSHCO's City Deep project. Part of the government’s Hostels Redevelopment Programme, the City Deep project involves turning a former men’s only hostel into a housing development able to accommodate complete families.

The Hostel had become an informal settlement in a formal structure, a health hazard in dire need of being renovated.

Located south-east of Johannesburg in the City Deep Container Depot area, construction on the project started in June 2005 with a capital investment from the City of Johannesburg. City Deep has been given a comprehensive facelift by converting dormitories into comfortable living units suitable for families.

Family units are outward facing with balconies added. Exterior refurbishment includes replacing the roofs, paving around the buildings, constructing and cleaning the storm water drains and replacing old, industrial windows with residential windows. The first phase of the project involved funding of R6 million to develop 123 units. Phase two has recently been completed, with construction currently underway on phase three. Phase two and three will add an additional 223 units of various densities and targeted at different income categories. 92 of these family apartments are already completed. Additional units are being constructed as a greenfields project. By the end of the project a total of 654 units as well as roads, pedestrian walkways, gardens and amenities will have been constructed.

The City Deep project, along with that in Roodepoort, also received a restructuring grant from the National Department of Housing. The City Deep grant is for R64,5 million and applies to 531 of the 654 units. The total development cost of the 531 units is R133, 2 million. Gauteng Province will top up the NDOH grant by a further subsidy of R22,2 million and loans at favourable terms totalling R21,4 million have been negotiated with the Gauteng Partnership Fund and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

But, the City Deep Hostel conversion to affordable rental housing is but one of five hostel conversions initiated by JOSHCO. Following close on it’s heels are the Orlando, Klipspruit, Selby and Antea hostel conversions shortly due to commence with construction.