Despite South African citizen’s constitutional right to adequate housing, Government’s housing delivery has been described as a complex, multi-stakeholder, multi-phase problem, exacerbated by political interference and corruption. Housing delivery in South Africa is ideologically and politically designed and executed. However, the government subsidised housing sector remains plagued by: huge and increasing backlogs; corruption; quality concerns, and recipient and stakeholder dissatisfaction. This includes the government subsidised housing construction sector, which faces issues such as: established contractors leaving the sector; late and failed completion; substandard quality; rework; cost overruns; late progress payments; and insolvencies. Moreover, government subsidised housing officials, which forms part of this sector, must contend with abandoned projects and appointing new contractors; shoddy workmanship from sub-standard contractors; remedial work, including demolition and rebuilding; and systemic problems such as staff shortages and under qualified staff. The process of Government’s ideological and political designed and execution may therefore not have considered certain practicalities relative to construction principles and practice. It therefore appears that there may be some relationship between the compatibility of Government’s housing ideological and political designed (policy) and execution and general construction principles and practice. It is clear from the related literature that government subsidised housing construction has mostly been investigated as an exercise observing from the outside in, and not from a construction sector perspective. The main purpose of this study is thus to explore housing policy and practice compatibility as a major obstacle to housing delivery in general and assess whether the current housing policy is sufficiently responsive to the requirements of the government subsidised housing sector by specifically describing and exploring the effects of Government’s housing procurement policies relative to the ability of the construction sector to supply government subsidised housing. More specifically, the study describes and explores corruption, quality; contractors and worker competency, and government capacity as specific consequences of housing policy and practice incompatibility, as well as factors contributing to recipient dissatisfaction and the housing backlog. Finally, based on the finding, a proposed framework for improving the supply of subsidised housing in South Africa has been developed. The methodology for this study adopted a post-positivist philosophy, embracing a quantitative approach using questionnaires, which incorporated mainly five-point Likert type scale, but also multiple-choice questions, as instruments for data collection. Three surveys were conducted, starting with a pilot study and followed by a primary study, during which a total of 2 884 potential participants within the construction sector across South Africa were randomly sampled and solicited to participate, of which 284 responded. The respondents consisted of four groups: general contractors (76); government housing officials (34); built environment professionals (137), and built environment suppliers (37). An electronic questionnaire was sent by email to all potential participants and allowed four weeks to complete the survey. Furthermore, a housing recipient survey was conducted among 100 randomly selected recipients of government subsidised housing in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area, by means of a structured interview using a paper based questionnaire, over a period of two weeks. The primary outcome measures used for this study were the ranked mean scores for mainly descriptive analysis and the Chi-square test, the 𝑡-test, Cohan’s d test, ANOVA and Scheffé test, using Cronbach's alpha as a measure of internal consistency of scale and validity, for inferential analyses and hypotheses testing. Hypothesis testing was founded upon Government’s worldview that its policies will not influence the operations of the construction sector relative to housing construction, and therefore tested respondents’ perspectives with respect to the impact that government policies have in terms of contractor operations and contractor success, as well as its contribution towards the housing backlog, substandard housing, recipient dissatisfaction and corruption. The following results were obtained by means of the hypothesis testing:Government housing procurement policies are inappropriate for application in the government subsidised housing sector. Respondents therefore disagree with the notion that government policy and practices do not impact contractor operations and contractor success, and thus the supply of houses; The application of government housing procurement policies leads to inadequate quality. Respondents therefore disagree with the notion that government preferential procurement policies do not impact quality; Government’s housing procurement policies inappropriately target emerging contractors. Respondents therefore disagree with the notion that Government’s targeting of emerging contractors does not impact housing supply; Government has inadequate capacity to address subsidised housing construction sector requirements in terms of housing projects. Respondents therefore disagree with the notion that Government has the capacity to address subsidised housing construction sector requirements in the supply of housing, and Government subsidised houses do not meet recipients’ expectations. Respondents therefore disagree with the notion that government subsidised houses do meet recipients’ expectations. It thus became apparent that housing supply is mostly inhibited by Government’s housing procurement policy, contributing to various factors, such as quality capability, contractor capability, systemic and administrative capacity, and resulting in recipient dissatisfaction. Using Pearson’s product moment correlation, a framework model was developed to illustrate the process flow, which revealed definitive statistical and practical relationships between these factors, and indeed reflects complex relationships between factors inhibiting supply and resulting in recipient dissatisfaction. To find an appropriate framework model for the purpose of improving housing supply, various sources were consulted. Based on the research question, together with the aims and objectives for this study, as well as the realisation that the problems associated with housing supply relate to the project management of the construction phase, which requires interventions for improving supply, it was decided that a results framework would be the most appropriate for this purpose. The proposed framework is therefore a graphical depiction of how the research process may be used to identify problems in the government subsidised housing sector, questioning how these may be resolved, setting strategies to improve the situation, evolving hypotheses and testing these hypotheses to establish the critical factors to be considered in the process of resolving the problem in the housing sector, by means of implementation and feedback.

Shelter is a basic human right that was recognised by the South African constitution and this led to the government's partnership with the private sector together with NGO's in responding to the huge housing demand for the poor. Due to the RDP's failure in delivering houses to the poor masses, the government introduced a social housing programme in Walmer, Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The Walmer Link social housing programme has been able to give poor people an alternative than being backyard shack dwellers. The rental complex offers good quality housing with secured features at very low prices based on individual income. This initiative has been able to ease the pressure of providing houses to the poor from government and has also been able to lower poverty levels in the Port Elizabeth area.

The aim of this study was to investigate the socio-economic perceptions of the beneficiaries of the low income housing scheme in Unit P, of Mdantsane Township, under Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were utilised in this study. For instance, questionnaires on the perceptions were administered amongst twenty (20) beneficiaries of this low housing scheme. Semi structured interviews were conducted amongst five (5) respondents who participated in the survey design. The study found that the intervention of providing poor people with houses was not appropriately done as these houses are too small and therefore fail to consider the families of the beneficiaries although the South African government seems to have succeeded to some extent in providing low income housing for the unemployed and those that belong to the low income category. The study also found that the location of Unit P poses a threat because it is located away from all the amenities compelling the beneficiaries to travel more than 5km to the amenities and essential services. The study therefore recommends that the government employs competent contractors that would do a proper job. State officials, tasked with overseeing the various state funded housing projects, have to ascertain the success of these projects by making sure that the contractors do not lack skills such as the ability to facilitate projects of a high magnitude as that could lead to flawed projects. They should be constantly monitored and post evaluated. This will help to minimize the wasting of state resources.

The purpose of this study was to critically investigate challenges in the provision of low-income housing in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). In order to reach this goal, it was necessary to study the literature on the housing sector, especially as regards the impact between the external factors and the provision of low-income housing. A further supporting objective was to investigate and analyse the challenges in order to develop techniques and strategies for solving the challenges facing the NMBM in the provision of low-income housing. In order to address the reach problem and to fulfil the research objectives, an in-depth literature study was done. Empirical studies were also performed by means of face-to-face interviews and a questionnaire with the target group in the Housing Department of the NMBM. The literature and empirical study made it possible to identify underperformance and to recommend possible solutions for the challenges in the provision of low-income housing in the NMBM. These recommendations should be of value to all participants in the housing sector. From the investigation into the NMBM in the provision of low-income housing, the findings indicate that the constraints and challenges such as the housing backlog also exist in other parts of South Africa. Challenges such as availability of land in the NMBM can be considered to exist principally in the NMBM area. The new national policies and local government housing strategies should concur with the internationally accepted developmental approach. Recommendations were made with regard to sustainable development strategies, housing policies, finance and housing provision. Essential proposals were made, such as efficient financial support, and to train and improve certain unskilled staff in the NMBM. The study concludes with recommended techniques and strategies for the improvement of low-income housing in the NMBM, in order to overcome its challenges and to empower it on a sustainable basis.

In 1994 the new government introduced a subsidy scheme where the beneficiaries are provided with houses through housing projects. The houses have been vastly criticised for being small and poorly built. The sites provided are perceived to be small. The recreational facilities are perceived to be non existent and educational facilities scarce. The places where the projects are, is perceived to be far away from job opportunities. A sample of 200 beneficiaries was drawn from 1024 beneficiaries residing in the housing project in the area of France, Edendale in Pietermaritzburg, Phases 1 and 11. In this study, the respondents were composed of 32.9% males and 67.1% females. The respondent’s age group who participated in this project was 3.9% between 0-21 years, 28.9% between 22-35 years, 34.2% between 36-45 years, 16.4% between 46-55 years, and 11.8% between 55- 65 years and 4.6% did not reveal their age status. 80.9%, indicated they were owners of the houses, 6.6% indicated that they were not and those that did not reply are 12.5%. The study is descriptive in nature and explored the extent to which the beneficiaries were happy with their houses. The study explored the perceptions on the size of the sites, the small starter houses, the sanitation provided and the location of the houses. The findings suggest that the provision of sustainable housing in South Africa is still a challenge. The houses are still located far from the places of work and they are so small and there is overcrowding. The sizes of the sites are small and the sanitation provided unacceptable. The recreational facilities are nonexistent. Beneficiaries expressed dissatisfaction with the educational facilities. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

The study investigates problems and challenges that, the Nyandeni local municipality faces in terms of housing delivery to its communities. The purpose is to look at the factors that affect housing delivery at Nyandeni local municipality in the Extension 4 Housing Project in Ngqeleni and what can be done in order to improve it. The housing development at Nyandeni Local Municipality is not up to standard, the situation is worse in rural areas where there is not a single rural housing project that has been implemented thus far instead, there is a lack of infrastructure and other essential services. This is a serious problem that the Nyandeni local municipality faces, as a result the most vulnerable people are the poorest of the poor particularly those residing in rural areas. The study has investigated housing delivery at Nyandeni local municipality with reference to the Extension 4 Housing Project in Ngqeleni. The investigation indicates that there are serious challenges facing housing delivery. Hence the beneficiaries of the project could not get their houses in time and the project could not be completed within the scheduled period.

Rural-urban migration appears to be an ongoing process in South Africa. This is attributed to various reasons. In itself, the process contributes towards an ongoing demand for services such as housing, water, sanitation and transportation systems. Rural – urban migration plays a key role in urbanization. The living conditions in rural areas appear to be the main contributing factors towards rural-urban migration. This indicates that the challenges facing rural communities include the creation of conducive environments within those communities. Hence, the issue of rural-urban migration should be addressed from the spatial and socio – economic perspectives. In an attempt to address human settlements needs, South Africa has a policy framework which supports the right to housing as it has been accorded to South African citizens by their Constitution. The objective is to ensure that there is adequate housing for South Africans. This study investigated and analysed the relationship between rural-urban migration and housing delivery in Clermont Township in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. The participants included the residents of Clermont Township and the representatives of the eThekwini Municipality. Among others, the study found that rural-urban migration is an ongoing process which affects housing delivery in urban areas. As a result it continues to make the objective of ensuring that there is adequate housing for South Africans unattainable. Hence, attention should be paid to the effects of rural-urban migration in housing delivery.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Geographic Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The study focuses on Extension 44 in the Polokwane, an exclusively Black urban Township defined as a liveable geographical space consisting of both activity and awareness space (perpetual) space. Central to this research is its origins and existence as part of the urban racial spatial organization of Polokwane Municipality, viewed in terms of the Colonial, Apartheid and the traditional theoretical models depicting the internal structure of urban centres, including how it fits into the post-Apartheid urban planning policies, the provision of housing (types and quality), including the availability of physical and social infrastructure, how the residents perceive and evaluate these in relation to the residents’ quality of life in that area. The questions raised are (i) when and why was Extension 44 in the Polokwane municipality established? (ii) Who provides what type and quality of housing in the township? (iii) And lastly what perceptions do the residents have regarding housing and living conditions in Extension 44? Therefore, the study draws its significance as falling under both Settlement (Urban) and Behavioural geography. The former deals with origins and the nature of habitable space (settlements) while the latter is concerned, among others, with how people perceive their habitat.

The housing shortage in developing countries is one of the challenges of the 21st century. South Africa is no exception. This study has been undertaken to ensure that a bigger picture of this phenomenon can be understood. This study is also an attempt to understand whether governmental actions and interventions are near to addressing the challenges of homelessness for low-income households. In particular, the problem being investigated points to several issues which require extensive research towards possible proposals for future policy interventions. This means that the study takes interest in what the effects of the development and implementation of the national public housing policy in South Africa are. These effects need to be understood and identified for relevant conclusions and recommendations to be drawn. Further, the research problem has been broadened to understand the extent to which the effects of the Housing Act 107 of 1997 and the Gauteng Housing Act 6 of 1998 are conducive to addressing the public housing problems in the Gauteng Province. The literature review undertaken in this study shows that for South Africa, and particularly the Gauteng Province, to be more successful in addressing public housing problems, different approaches and interventions are necessary. This is due to the fact that most successful countries (especially Western countries) have allowed community organisations themselves, not only the government, to become actively involved in the provision of public and low-income housing. Other findings of this study are, inter alia, poor administrative capacities, shortage of land for housing development, housing affordability problems, and lack of sound intergovernmental relations systems. The main recommendation, on the basis of the findings, is that a constitutional review and amendment recommending public housing policy implementation to be the preserve of municipalities should be considered. Several additional recommendations include, inter alia, proposed changes in the hierarchical structures and the adoption of business models that could minimise red tape to improve the turn-around period for beneficiaries in the process of public housing provision in the Gauteng Province.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Literature on public participation generally assumes the existence of a causal relationship between community participation in urban development programs and the satisfaction of beneficiaries of such programs with the outcomes of these development programs. In this study, the role played by public participation in fashioning perceptions of satisfaction or dissatisfaction of beneficiaries is investigated in the cases of two hostel redevelopment programs. The role of public participation is investigated by means of the Spectrum of Participation model of the International Association of Public Participation, a model which propagates a set of principles to be fulfilled before it may be said that beneficiaries have thoroughly participated in a program. Satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the beneficiaries is tested by means of the Hirschmann model of Voice, Exit and Loyalty, a model which hypothesizes that potential beneficiaries in a program - in order to express satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the process - may remain loyal to the program, may voice their dissatisfaction, or (as a last resort) may exit the program. After an analysis of the concept of public participation, this concept is applied-via interviews with samples of stakeholders and potential beneficiaries-to two different communities of interest: members of the Welcome Zenzile Housing Cooperative in Langa and the Ilinge LabaHlali Housing Cooperative in Nyanga, townships situated not very far from the Cape Town CBD, and occupied mostly by African communities. These two housing cooperatives participated in the national Hostel Redevelopment Program, an initiative propagated by the national Department of Human Settlements. Since these cooperatives participated in different ways during identifiable phases of the program, public participation by potential beneficiaries was researched within each phase. A comparison of research findings in the two programs points to a positive relationship between public participation and beneficiary satisfaction. Though other factors also play a role, such satisfaction could be observed in the Nyanga community where levels of participation by beneficiaries were extremely high. With the Welcome Zenzile beneficiaries, the same could not be said, inter alia, since most of the decisions associated with beneficiary interests were made by the City of Cape Town. In essence this second program was implemented by the City of Cape Town for and on behalf of the beneficiaries. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die algemeen veronderstel die literatuur oor openbare deelname dat daar ‘n kousaleverband bestaan tussen gemeenskapsdeelname aan stedelike ontwikkelingsprogramme en die tevredenheid van die begunstigdes van sodanige programme met die uitkomstes daarvan. In hierdie studie word twee hostelherontwikkelingsprogramme gebruik om die rol te ondersoek wat openbare deelname speel in die vorming van persepsies oor begunstigdes se tevredenheid of ontevredenheid. Die rol van openbare deelname word ondersoek aan die hand van die Internasionale Vereniging vir Openbare Deelname se Spektrum van Deelname-model, ‘n model wat ‘n stel beginsels voorhou waaraan voldoen moet word voordat daar gesê kan word dat begunstigdes doeltreffend aan ‘n program deelgeneem het. Die tevredenheid of ontevredenheid van die begunstigdes word getoets volgens die Hirschmann-model van ―Voice, Exit and Loyalty‖, ‘n model wat veronderstel dat moontlike begunstigdes van ‘n program – ten einde hulle tevredenheid of ontevredenheid met die proses te kan uitspreek – aan die program lojaal kan bly, hulle ontevredenheid daarmee kan betuig, of (as ‘n laaste uitweg) die program kan verlaat. Nadat daar ‘n ontleding van die konsep openbare deelname gedoen is, word die konsep toegepas – via onderhoude en steekproewe met belanghebbendes en potensiële begunstigdes – in twee verskillende belangegemeenskappe: die Welcome Zenzilebehuisingskoöperatief in Langa en die Ilinge LabaHlali-behuisingskoöperatief in Nyanga, twee townships wat nie ver van die Kaapstadse Sentrale Sakegebied geleë is nie en hoofsaaklik deur swart gemeenskappe bewoon word. Hierdie twee behuisingskoöperatiewe het aan die nasionale Hostelherontwikkelingsprogram, ‘n inisiatief wat deur die nasionale Departement van Menslike Vestiging geloods is, deelgeneem. Aangesien hierdie koöperatiewe op verskillende wyses tydens identifiseerbare fases van die program deelgeneem het, is openbare deelname deur potensiële begunstigdes in elke fase nagevors. ‘n Vergelyking van navorsingsbevindinge ten opsigte van die twee programme dui op ‘n positiewe verband tussen openbare deelname en begunstigdetevredenheid. Ofskoon ander faktore ook ‘n rol speel, kon sodanige tevredenheid in die Nyanga-gemeenskap waargeneem word, waar vlakke van deelname deur begunstigdes buitengewoon hoog was. Dieselfde kan egter nie van die Welcome Zenzile-begunstigdes gesê word nie, onder andere omdat die meeste van die besluite wat met begunstigdebelange te make het, deur die Stad Kaapstad geneem is. Op die keper beskou het die Stad Kaapstad hierdie tweede program vir en namens die begunstigdes geïmplementeer.