These are tales of coming to Yeoville and finding a home there. The stories are not rosy; they show the challenges of finding decent places to stay: stories of cramped spaces, exploitative landlords, evictions and extreme mobility, densities and lack of amenities, aspirations to leave while being trapped in the area. But they also demonstrate a place of friendships and networks that can provide, for some time, a place for free or sub-market rent; the centrality of the place and the opportunities it opens to; a housing market that offers flats in all shapes and sizes, adaptable to shifting households and fragile situations.

These housing stories have been collected in the context of community housing workshops facilitated by second-year architecture students and their lecturers, where Yeoville residents told their residential stories and mapped their homes. These housing portraits were consolidated in discussion with participants, and were publicised in various community events in Yeoville.

I like the central location of my place. I relate a lot to Rockey Street. It gives me an advantage as a community activist.

Biography

George came to Johannesburg from Ga-Rankuwa, North West, and stayed in Meadowlands a short time before moving to Yeoville in 1998. He lived in a flat on Webb Street for two years, then in a house on Natal Street for 14 years. Thereafter he lived in a converted office on Raymond Street. George works for Yeoville community and for the ANC.

Housing trajectory

Webb Street

The entrance of the flat opened on a large living room divided by a decorative iron grid. On the other side was the lounge, with a music/TV system and big sofas – lots of light due to a large window. Then there was the late Themba's bedroom, the kitchen, and my bedroom. The balcony was converted into a room, sealed with corrugated iron sheeting, for the tenant who was staying there, using a single bed and a cooking plate.

Natal Street

I lived in a large L-shaped house on a double stand. There was also a backyard garage converted into an apartment and a cottage, as well as a large backyard garden. There was a mix of people from South Africa and from the rest of the continent (Zimbabwe, Ghana, Zambia and Kenya).