SA Affordable Housing May / June 2017 // Issue: 64 | Page 31

PROJECTS
In-house gym of Live Easy. Image: Live Easy
WHAT THE TENANTS HAVE TO SAY THE FUTURE
Employers have expressed an interest in this type of
development especially those in the hospitality and call
centre industries. The appeal of Live Easy is that all staff
members can stay at the same place and shuttle or use taxi
services to and from work.
Tenants comment that they haven’t seen anything like it
in Johannesburg. Jenine Saaiman, one of the first people in
Live Easy, says, “I’m a beauty therapist who’s employed
close to my residence. From the outset my experience has
been absolutely amazing. The accommodation is neat,
comfortable and affordable. The premises are well
maintained with elegant finishes. Staff have been
extremely helpful and accommodating. I commend them
for their interest in the tenants as well as making comfort
and safety a priority.
“What’s more impressive is that it caters for a single
person to a family. The play area is well secured for the
kids. The braai area is always neat and an awesome
initiative for socialising. I'm thrilled to say that Live Easy
has made my life really easy in so many ways. From
affordability, to travelling convenience - I would not
change my accommodation soon.”
David Ncube, another resident says, “All my life I have
been living in flats and I have never been in such an
organised professional complex. We have an area for kids
to play, internet access is rolling out, there is a braai area
for family time and most importantly we have a place of
refuge after a long day at work.” As a flagship project, finding financing was initially hard.
“Banks were wary about financing this kind of place
because it has never been done before,” says Froom.
However, they express how since people have started
moving in and there is evidence that it works, banks are
now changing their minds. “The banks now are talking
about refinancing the existing phase and development
financing the rest,” says Huff.
This is the first place that
caters for people that want
to pay R2 500 for a decent,
secure place.
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING
MAY - JUNE 2017
29