Joburg CBD hostel upgrades: Gauteng Human Settlements Dept to check progress

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Tasneem Motara is set to conduct oversight visits to several hostels in Joburg’s inner city to check progress made on upgrades.

The government has earmarked half a billion rand to renovate the six hostels under its control.

Authorities said this will help deal with the housing crisis in the province.

Motara said the upgrades will focus mostly on immediate problems including plumbing and electricity, overcrowding and repairing infrastructure.

Renovations are already underway in five out of the six hostels in Johannesburg under the control of the Gauteng government.

Motara said the provincial government is doing the upgrades to ensure that the hostels are habitable and conducive for living.

Wednesday’s oversight visit will start at the George Goch hostel associated with crime and overcrowding living conditions and end at Jeppe hostel.