Abacus Housing has officially launched a new initiative designed to help South African families move from long-term renting into sustainable homeownership, through a partnership with SA Corporate Real Estate (SA Corp).
The initiative focuses on tenants living in selected SA Corp buildings and gives them access to a structured “Tenant-to-Owner” pathway, combining credit readiness, shortfall funding tools, and Rent-to-Own options where a traditional home loan is not yet possible.
“For too long, many hard-working families have felt stuck as tenants,” says Will J, Executive Director of Abacus Housing. “Our goal is to turn faithful rental histories and steady income into a realistic path to ownership — not just for a few, but at scale.”
The Abacus model recognises that many tenants are close to being bond-ready but are held back by a few key gaps: credit issues that can be repaired with time and guidance, a shortfall between the bank’s approved loan and the purchase price, and a limited understanding of the steps required to qualify for a home loan.
Through the new program, eligible tenants will have access to free pre-approval assessments to understand exactly where they stand, credit rehabilitation support through vetted partners where needed, shortfall funding and Rent-to-Own options on selected units, and guidance from Abacus consultants who specialise in first-time buyers.
“Instead of saying ‘come back when the bank will approve you,’ we walk with the client from where they are today to where they need to be,” Will explains. “That’s how you build long-term, generational wealth — one informed decision at a time.”
Abacus combines on-the-ground consulting with data and credit analytics to ensure each client has a clear, personalised roadmap. Tenants are grouped into buckets based on their current score and affordability so that those who are immediately bondable can move quickly to an Offer to Purchase, those who need 12–36 months of credit work can enter structured Rent-to-Own or credit rehab pathways, and investors can participate in multi-unit strategies aligned with SA Corp’s affordable housing portfolio.
This approach is not only about deals — it’s about stewardship. “We believe that housing is more than a transaction; it’s a responsibility,” Will says. “We want to see families rooted in safe, stable homes, and investors earning in a way that supports that stability, not undermines it.”
For SA Corp, the partnership supports its commitment to affordable housing and social impact, while helping to reduce vacancy and create a clear exit path for certain units. For investors, the Abacus model provides access to curated units within established affordable housing schemes, improved risk management through better credit insights and tenant selection, and the ability to participate in portfolio strategies rather than isolated, one-off deals.
For tenants, the benefit is straightforward: a real, tested path to owning a home in the communities where they already live and work.
The first phase of the program is rolling out across selected SA Corp buildings, with Abacus consultants actively engaging tenants through on-site activations and information days, employer-linked workshops, and one-on-one consultations, both online and in person.
Tenants interested in exploring their options can complete a no-obligation pre-approval and speak to an Abacus consultant about Rent-to-Own, shortfall funding, or traditional mortgage options.
“Our vision is simple,” Will concludes. “Help families move from uncertainty to ownership, and do it in a way that honours both people and capital.”
