MEDIA RELEASE 30 November 2006 Council acts on Casa Mia The City of Johannesburg has taken initial steps to address short-comings at Casa Mia. More than half of the 118 residents have committed to move while city engineering experts conduct a thorough investigation to consider suitable corrective action. The breakdown of the residents' movement is: 72 have been moved 14 of the remaining 46 fall under the category of assistance living and the provincial social development will assisting Joburg to found suitable accommodation 9 of the remaining 27 have been allocated accommodation but indicated they are not yet ready to move out 18 are still to be allocated accommodation five have not given consent for relocation Debriefing, counseling and emotional support on the relocation has been or is still being provided to residents to ensure a humane execution of the project. The building was constructed in the 1940's and City of Johannesburg started administering it in 1984. Its poor condition has cost the City a sizable investment in routine maintenance and repair work. But this has yielded insignificant impact. An engineering group has been briefed to carefully access the long-term soundness of the 177-roomed eight-floor structure and advise whether the building is habitable for its residents. The building was not originally planned as an "old age home" in accordance with the official definition and has been run along the lines of a residential hotel for senior citizens. While this exercise is taking place, residents agreed to sign a voluntary consent form to be moved to alternative habitable accommodation. Casa Mia residents are charged R227 per month for rental although the City has been experiencing difficulties in collecting the rent. The projected monthly rental for the 177 rooms is R22 775 but the actual amount collected is less than R9 000. Ends. Issued by: Thembelihle Radebe Core Communications City of Johannesburg Tel. (011) 407-7353 Fax (011) 403-3494