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The Department of Human Settlements in the City of Johannesburg extends its appreciation to the Council for its support on three crucial projects that will benefit more than 100,000 people through key developments across the city.

The council has approved an agreement concerning land in Alexandra, which will benefit 2,500 land claimants, representing an estimated 55,000 households. This agreement marks a collaborative effort between various spheres of government towards the development of Alexandra.

The process leading to this approval has been lengthy, involving extensive engagement with the claimants and culminating in the signing of a significant statement of intent, affirming commitment to the agreement.

With the council’s approval, the interdict that has hindered the development of Alexandra will now be lifted. In 2005, the Land Claims Court issued an interdict against the mayor of Johannesburg and the city itself, preventing the demolition, development, or rezoning of parts of Alexandra that were subject to land claims.

The land claim effectively restricted various levels of government from developing Alexandra township until the issue was resolved. During the council meeting held on 19 September 2024, a report on the Gauteng Central Integrated Mega City was adopted. This project will deliver 81,000 housing units.

Approximately 99.9% of the project will be divided between Breaking New Ground (previously known as RDP), with 33.3% allocated to social housing and another 33.3% to the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (Flisp). Flisp is a government subsidy designed to assist low to middle-income households in accessing adequate housing.

Households eligible for this subsidy are those in the ‘gap market’ – families who do not qualify for a fully subsidised house but also cannot secure a mortgage loan from banks. This applies to families earning between R3,501 and R22,000 a month.

The Gauteng Central Integrated Mega City is the largest mega-project for the City of Johannesburg. Additionally, the council adopted a report on the Central Park Social Housing Precinct, which will yield 3,800 units for people in the gap market.

Issued by the City of Johannesburg