Johannesburg Housing Company

The Johannesburg Housing Company (JHC) revives abandoned inner-city buildings and creates affordable rental homes to help regenerate Johannesburg. Since its start, JHC has built or renovated 24 buildings, providing nearly 3,000 homes for about 8,500 people. These developments increase city revenue, improve safety, and encourage surrounding areas to recover.
JHC began in response to the post-apartheid decline of Johannesburg’s inner city, where abandoned buildings became unsafe slums. By refurbishing old offices, hotels, and derelict properties, JHC has turned liabilities into community assets. Its buildings are clean, secure, and well-managed, with active tenant committees and community programs such as childcare, youth sports, and skills training.
The housing model is financially sustainable. Rent covers operating costs, vacancy rates are low, and surplus income is reinvested. Developments are mixed-income, allowing higher-income rents to support low-income units. Initial grants from the EU, Flemish government, and South African subsidies have grown into a property portfolio worth over R262 million.
JHC’s approach is innovative because it combines adaptive reuse, strict building management, community participation, and structured financing. It also supports black economic empowerment by hiring local contractors and promoting tenant leadership. Energy-efficient initiatives like solar water heating and insulation lower costs and reduce environmental impact.
Socially, JHC promotes integration by housing diverse communities and fostering active resident participation. Safer, cleaner neighbourhoods have emerged, increasing investor confidence. JHC’s model has influenced other urban housing projects in South Africa and helped shape national rental housing policy.
In short, JHC demonstrates that well-managed, mixed-income housing can transform neglected city areas into thriving, sustainable, and inclusive urban communities.