Housing Allocations and Relocations to Alexandra's K206
During the period March to May, approximately 1380 Alex
families, both owners and tenants, moved into their new homes in the
K206 housing development.
By May 2010, in the region of 14 000 families have been relocated
to new homes in Alexandra, but the allocation of housing continues to
be one of the most challenging and emotive aspects of any new
development in Alexandra. People throughout Alex are still required to
register on the housing waiting lists. Once a specific area or
community is marked for relocation, a strict block-by-block
registration process is undertaken on site.
Houses are allocated on a community priority basis, and consider
both practical needs and the qualification of prospective
beneficiaries. Such decisions are not taken unilaterally, but in
consultation with both Alexandra's social and political structures,
and in compliance with the National Housing Code. Over time the
allocation process has evolved with the City of Johannesburg's Region
E becoming more closely involved in certain aspects. In a new housing
development such as K206, the ARP team, with project manager Edwin
Mokgwatsana, continues to deal with new homeowners, while Region E
handles the rental stock, rental agreements and occupant education on
the responsibilities and rights of tenants.
Once a qualifying beneficiary has been verified, the Gauteng
Department of Housing issues a formal document linking a new
homeowner's name with a specific site. The Alexandra Renewal Project
then issues a Housing Allocation letter to each approved beneficiary.
In K206, families that must be relocated but who do not qualify for
ownership, are allocated rental units within the new development.
Finally, the relocations can begin. On the appointed day, residents
pack up belongings, and wait for transport to take them to their new
houses. As each family moves out, their old dwelling is dismantled to
prevent illegal occupation prior to the start of a new ARP project.
On arrival, new residents formally take ownership of their
allocated properties, and are escorted to them by ARP Community
Liaison Officers. Within a short space of time, pride of ownership is
evident as houses become homes with personal touches and gardens
coming to life. A new community has been born.
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