Technical Assistance - TAU - National Treasury

Case Studies of The National Treasury’s Technical Assistance Unit 35
5.2 JOSHCO: Strategic Management Support for Programme
Performance Improvement
Background
The Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) was established by the City of
Johannesburg, receiving its mandate in March 2004 to help reduce the housing backlog. The
City of Johannesburg has over three million inhabitants and many of these people lack access
to housing and other basic services. The main aim of JOSHCO is to provide sustainable, quality,
low cost housing services and products to the citizens of Johannesburg.
JOSHCO approached the TAU after becoming aware of a company based in Canada, namely,
the Toronto Community Housing Company (TCHC), which was established by the city of
Toronto, much like the City of Johannesburg established JOSHCO. The TCHC implemented
a sale of business, where all of the city’s municipal stock was transferred to the TCHC. The
company also focuses on community development—and development of the residents
within their housing projects.
The CEO of JOSHCO, Rory Gallocher commented:
“We felt a strong need to connect with the TCHC and the way it conducted its business. We wanted
to adopt its best practice systems and models. In order to get this kind of assistance, we approached
the TAU. The turnaround for our request for support was very efficient.”
Discussion
In response to JOSHCO’s request for support, the TAU approached Rooftops Canada to provide
technical assistance to JOSHCO. Rooftops Canada has worked in South Africa since 1990, with
a strong emphasis on building local capacity for the delivery of social housing initiatives.
The organisation works with international partners to improve housing conditions and build
sustainable communities, specifically focusing on disadvantaged communities.
Rooftops Canada agreed to provide technical assistance through Robert Cohen, a Technical
Advisor with 25 years experience in the Canadian social housing sector. He also gained indepth
knowledge of the South African housing sector, from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2010.
It was important for the TAU to see a plan of how the TA would assist in evolving JOSHCO.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE | A Vehicle For Improving Government’s Performance