Affordable alternative to shack dwelling
In pursuit of the South African government's goal to eradicate
squatter camps, the Alexandra Renewal Project has identified a need for
affordable rental accommodation for the poor of Alexandra who do not qualify for
subsidised or RDP housing.
Construction has just begun on an innovative, world-first
project to provide affordable rental shelter in permanent structures
to people who, up until now, have had no viable alternative to living in
self-made, impermanent shacks.
Cluster housing has become a preferred form of home ownership in
South Africa. In an exciting adaptation of this type of community
living, the ARP has developed an entirely new concept in
environmentally friendly, low maintenance, affordable, first tier rental options.
In the Alexandra Renewal Project's first development of this kind,
520 rooms in 13 clusters will be made available for rent. Each cluster
will consist of 4 double-storey units centered around a courtyard.
There will be 5 rooms per floor or 10 rooms in each double-storey
block within the cluster. On each level, the five rooms will be
grouped around a central common area where the staircase will be
located.
The ground floor units are designed in such a way that they can
cater for the aged or infirm with the addition of disabled-usage
toilets and ramps.
Each cluster will have shared ablution, washing-up and laundry
facilities where durable, high-quality finishes will be used to
minimise maintenance costs. For example, sinks and toilets will be
made of stainless steel. Toilet cisterns will be fitted into the walls
with concealed systems, much like public toilets where you press a
button in the wall to flush.
Hot water for ablution facilities will be provided by means of
solar panels. It is estimated that this cost will be amortised over 5
years.
Prepaid electricity meters will be installed in each room.
Each courtyard will be landscaped for communal use with clearly
defined areas for children's play, braai or cooking facilities and
space for vegetable gardens.
The entire complex of 13 clusters will be enclosed by a 1.2 meter
palisade fence with only one entrance, which will be manned by a
security guard. The complex will have paved areas and public lighting,
parking and car-washing bays, and a walled-in refuge collection area. The complex will be managed by JOSHCO from an office
situated at the entrance. Outside the complex there will be a taxi
lay-by, providing easy access to transport.
For people who currently have no access to affordable rental space,
and who have no alternative but to live in shacks or to leave the area,
this will be an amazing life-changing opportunity to live in a
permanent structure, with amenities, at a very low cost. This
complex will provide such people with a living environment that is
safe, secure and adaptable to their individual circumstances.
The ARP
continues to find solutions to the "insoluble" problems of Alexandra. |
