The shortage of affordable accommodation close to campuses has long been an issue for universities across South Africa and CPUT continues to seek innovative solutions to help address the need.

The institution recently met with DigsConnect, an online platform that aims to help students find safe accommodation close to their institutions.

“We’re thrilled to be working with tech start-up DigsConnect.com, South Africa’s largest student accommodation marketplace. It allows landlords and agents across the accommodation spectrum to list their student properties, and for students to then connect with the landlords directly,” says Phillip Chibvuri from CPUT’s Residence Business Unit.

“At CPUT we pride ourselves on innovation and taking practical action to solve inefficiencies in our society. Part of this commitment includes working with exciting start-ups that are changing the way that we do things. We are exploring a more vibrant relationship with DigsConnect in the year 2019 to spread our own accredited properties on their website.”

CPUT’s own Off-Campus Housing Accreditation Program (OCHAP) was launched in 2017 and allows students to search for private accommodation, which has been approved and accredited by CPUT officials.

To visit the database, go to http://www.cput.ac.za/students/life/accommodation/ochap/properties

Written by Ilse Fredericks

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

An online database, launched last year to assist CPUT students in the hunt for safe off-campus accommodation, has grown to include more than 700 beds.

The Off-Campus Housing Accreditation Program (OCHAP) aims to ease the pressure on student housing.

It allows students to trawl the database for private accommodation, which has been approved and accredited by CPUT officials.

The number of available beds is expected to increase to between 800 and 1 000 this year.

“Any service provider around CPUT campuses can apply through an online application system.

Students can freely select their place of choice in the bracket they can afford,” says Phillip Chibvuri from the CPUT Residence Business & Risk Assessment Centre.

To qualify, service providers have to provide five beds or more and adhere to a range of requirements. Officials will inspect the accommodation to ensure that the accommodation is safe and suitable for students while proof of ownership and other requirements will also be checked.

Owners pay a once-off fee before being added to the online database.

Lease agreements are also vetted.

“The project has the potential to change the student accommodation market and create a system where local universities adopt a common regulatory approach when dealing with accrediting properties,” says Chibvuri.
To visit the database, go to http://www.cput.ac.za/students/life/accommodation/ochap/properties

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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