An investigation of the low cost housing process with specific reference to the Mbashe local municipality

Abstract

When South Africa’s first democratic government was elected in 1994, the newly elected government committed itself to reduce the housing shortage in South Africa. By July 2001, approximately 1. 43 million as opposed to 3 million houses, were completed. In order to reduce the South African housing backlog, the government has established a number of Social Housing Institutions (SHI), but its social housing provision has still not lived up to its promises. While supply of social housing increased between 1994 and early 1998, it decreased between 1999 and 2004, whilst demand for social housing, continues to rise. Since existing government strategies have failed to meet the ever increasing social housing demand, there is a need to investigate the strategic elements and the efficiency of South Africa’s social housing provision. This thesis, therefore, determines strategies that the government should employ in order to close the gap between the supply and demand of social housing in South Africa. The thesis presents a comparative case study of social housing strategies and programmes in four countries namely: Brazil, Malaysia, China and England. The research identifies preconditions for successful housing programmes and strategies and concludes with policy recommendations. It proposes that public participation should be encouraged by all municipalities within South Africa. The research methodology which was used in this study is qualitative, where structured interviews were held with community members as well as with members of the municipality. The study reveals that there is no community participation in the housing process of the Mbashe local municipality. The findings of the research show that the municipality cannot be held accountable for non-participation of the community, as some community members do not want to work and learn. However, it is argued that local processes will not be effective if communities are not involved in development, in general.