SA Affordable Housing May / June 2017 // Issue: 64 | Page 28

PROJECTS
Housing units in Block A. Image: SAAH
Move in, move on up
and live easy
Finding the right place to live is always a challenge, it’s even more
challenging when you’re looking for a monthly price of R2 500.
It’s hard to imagine that such a place exists but located in Kew,
Johannesburg, Live Easy is just the place for low cost accommodation.
By Ntsako Khosa
A
ffordable housing in South Africa is a hot topic and
despite talks of solving the problem, several projects
have sprouted to curb the issue. Co-founders of Live
Easy, Jeffrey Froom and James Huff, are solving the
problem one nano unit at a time.
Over the past decade, Johannesburg has built over
50 000 new housing units, predominantly via the private
sector, but also through social housing, municipal and non-
governmental institutions. Even so, many inner-city
residents pay exorbitant rentals for poor quality
accommodation. There just isn’t enough decent and
affordable accommodation with security, decent sanitation
facilities, and electricity and basic amenities for low-
income households.
26
MAY - JUNE 2017
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING
MOTIVATION BEHIND LIVE EASY
Live Easy's flagship development is situated in Kew, near
Alexandra, Sandton. It is a residential property business
which has developed a new concept in the Johannesburg
housing market. It provides ‘estate living’ for the lower
LSMs. These rental properties provide nano units, with a
lifestyle element that has never been available in the
affordable market.
“We’re excited because this is the first place that caters
for that person who wants to pay R2 500 for a decent,
secure place,” says co-founder, Jeffrey Froom.
There is a dire shortage of accommodation in
Johannesburg for those looking for rentals between
R2 000 and R3 000 a month.