Residential Guidebook Residential Guidebook 2013 | Page 61

consistent growth in finance since inception proves that our slogan “a Good Business, doing good” is embedded in everything that TUHF does. All of TUHF’s achievements and success can be contributed to all our funders and clients. To name a few, in 2004, TUHF secured an interest free loan from the National Housing Finance Corporation of R50 million and established, with the Gauteng Partnership Fund, the Inthuthuko Equity fund which assisted in the financing of TUHF’s first black entrepreneur, Isaac Chalumbira. In 2006 TUHF reported that approved loans had doubled from the previous year and over 2000 units had been financed. In 2009 TUHF expanded operations in Gauteng and opened their first regional office in Durban, in this year TUHF had extended finance to over 100 entrepreneurs. The passing of the R1 Billion mark in TUHF’s loan book was the highlight for 2010. The opening of our second regional branch in Port Elizabeth ended our year in 2011. In 2012, NHFC, Futuregrowth and the Public Investment Corporation committed R125 million of additional capital and in the decade of operation TUHF’s number of BEE clients exceeds the 100 count. 5. What is your vision for TUHF and the affordable housing sector? Our founding vision will always remain “to have a R5 billion loan book and be a national organisation serving all cities that experience urban decline problems”. The underpinning principles to support TUHF in achieving this vision is to operate TUHF as a professional commercial property financing corporation exhibiting best practice in everything that we do. From financial administration, our corporate governance and our world class IT system, we know that TUHF is a best principle lender and that is beyond question. The vision for the affordable housing sector is to offer an alternative to the 40x40 mentality (meaning 40 square metres within 40km of the city). This means that the affordable housing sector in the inner cities should come with integrated residential development opportunities based on established infrastructures, www.reimag.co.za improved and increased urban densities and in that they should be close to economic opportunities and social services such as schools, parks, hospitals and clinics. The affordable housing sector should create opportunities for individuals close to places of work so that there is easy to access social services. However, on an economic level, the affordable housing sector should not create massive new infrastructures but rather use and develop what already exists. 6. Who is eligible to apply for funding from TUHF? TUHF targets entrepreneurs who live and or work in inner cities areas. People who have taken the time to do research to get a good understanding of what is happening in the inner city market. TUHF particularly targets people in the property industry, this can include anyone from caretakers, artisans, construction workers and property managers. In addition to that TUHF targets people in the safety and security industry such as f iremen, nurses, teachers and other people who show an understanding and ability to be able to handle the multi facet aspects of real estate investment, like technical, interpersonal and contractual components but most of all, TUHF will finance any good project in the inner city. 7. What does the next five years look like for TUHF? Over the next five years, TUHF’s focus will be on completing the national expansion programme into other inner cities within South Africa. TUHF also hopes to have a substantial increase in our ability to raise large volumes of debt finance from between R700 million to R1 billion per annum, this will assist TUHF to increase its operating capacity to meet the proven demand for its products and services and to continue to improve on its product offering. RESOURCES TUHF Residential Handbook 2013 59