SA Affordable Housing November / December 2017 // Issue: 67 | Page 15

EVENTS
Annual IHS conference
leads the change
Accelerating affordable housing delivery brought together
captains of industry at the ninth International Housing Solutions
(IHS) Affordable Housing Conference.
The ninth IHS conference was well attended by captains of the industry.
I
ndustry leaders and stakeholders gathered on
7 September at Hyde Park Corner to examine how to
accelerate housing delivery and what is currently being
done to fast track the process.
Managing director at IHS, Rob Wesselo described how it
has been a 10-year struggle but “the time has come.” For
the IHS, the next step is green affordable housing.
Presentations included in-depth discussion of current
economic standing in the property sector, which senior
economist from Nedbank, Isaac Matshego, described as
lacklustre due to the elevation of political and policy
uncertainty. He cites the land expropriation bill as one of
the biggest concerns in the industry. Myles Kritzinger, deal
maker at IHS, unpacked how green affordable homes are
already here and it is a market that is leading the way.
Current results show that it is easy to go green as it user
friendly and cheaper. Excellence in Design for Greater
Efficiencies (Edge) is the developed rating tool for
residential properties. Using the tool, the IHS has approved
more than 6 500 green units, including more than 2 800
units with preliminary Design Certification.
Rob Wesselo, CEO of IHS.
The first green affordable housing project in Africa is in
Ravenswood, Boksburg. Director general of The National
Department of Human Settlements, Mbulelo Ntshangana,
focused on detailing the role that the Housing
Development Agency (HDA) plays, stating that the
organisation has curtailed more than 100 mega projects.
In addition, he stated that the organisation can help
developers package their endeavours better.
Panel discussions delved into the future of the
residential property sector, the impact of social housing
and accelerating the delivery of affordable housing
through development finance. Speakers during the
discussions included Renney Plit, CEO of AFHCO; Carel De
Wit, CEO of Indluplace; Leanne Govender, sales manager
Affordable Housing Property Finance at Nedbank; Paul
Jackson, CEO at TUHF; Alwyn Nortje, senior legal advisor:
Group Legal and Contracts from the City of Johannesburg,
among others.
The conference was concluded by a cocktail function
that gave attendees the opportunity to network
and socialise.
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
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