Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa March/April 2020 | Page 22

AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION
The best of both
Impact investing with
financial returns
URBIKA ESTATE IMAGE BY SIMILAN PROPERTIES
Investing in real estate is often done with financial returns in mind. But
in a developing country like South Africa, investing with a social impact
as the main driver is important now more than ever. Investors focused
on contributing to growth in society socially and environmentally does
not mean you have to sacrifice returns on investment.
Impact investing
According to CEO of Similan properties, Harold Spies: “Impact
investing is a growing global phenomenon which refers to
investments made into companies, organizations, and funds
with the intention to generate a measurable, beneficial
social or environmental impact alongside a financial return.
Companies and investors realise the importance and absolute
need for impact investments while making a return.”
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MARCH/APRIL 2020 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine
Affordable accommodation
Investing in affordable housing for the benefit of the growing
middle-class market is also deemed another form of impact
investing, especially in cases where the investment decision is
made based on the social living conditions of the target market.
Property entrepreneur and Group CEO of Similan properties,
Harold Spies believes that investing for a good cause could assist
in making South Africa the best country it has ever been.