Social Housing is a new form of housing delivery in South Africa that has fast gained recognition in the housing sector in the last ten years, because it has proven to be a viable option in solving the housing shortage. It is an affordable option because the government provides funding through subsidies and profit is not earned from the rents paid. Social housing can be in the form of houses, block of flats or townhouses located in Greenfield developments, infill areas or in inner city blocks that are purchased or renovated. The buildings are managed by social housing institutions through public and private funding. This dissertation evaluated and compared two types of social housing schemes, namely, Greenfield developments and refurbished/converted buildings in terms of their affordability, management and the quality of the built environment. The evaluation was done by analyzing their similarities and differences, to reveal which typology delivers a better quality living environment. It also investigated the type of social housing development most suitable for the South African environment and meets the objectives and principles of social housing. The study analysed four existing social housing developments, three in Durban and one in Pietermaritzburg, two were refurbished buildings, and the other two, Greenfield developments. Information was collected by conducting household surveys, interviews and discussions with the residents and management of the housing schemes. The case studies revealed interesting contrasts as well as some important similarities among the social housing schemes. The main findings showed both typologies were functional in providing affordable housing though Greenfield developments proved to be a better alternative in terms of effective management, tenant participation and better built environments. The study proposes recommendations to improve social housing delivery in South Africa such as making social housing affordable, strategies for affordable security and safety systems; energy efficient designs and considerations for persons with special needs. / Thesis (M.Housing)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

Housing projects are amongst the South African (SA) Government’s major focus points with reference to budgeting for its financial years. The delivery of these housing projects is taking place at a slower rate than anticipated due to the problems experienced in the processes involved in their management. The project management shortcomings are a major setback with reference to the delivery of houses to the communities. It is, however, stated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) that every South African citizen has a right to housing and that the Local Government, as the closest entity to communities, must do whatever it possibly can to ensure timeous service delivery to its communities. The objective of this research is to ascertain the nature and extent of project management problems experienced by municipal project managers, the impact thereof and potential solutions to the identified problems. The study is intended to advise on possible ways to address project management problems arising during the implementation of housing projects in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) through investigation and analysis of information gathered in both theory and practice. Project management is a process of controlling the achievement of project objectives through the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques. For a housing project the main objective is to deliver safe, quality houses on time and within budget. Problems which hinder the delivery of housing projects relate to cost, time and the quality of housing projects delivered. The fact that these key project objectives are not met needs to be addressed urgently in order to improve the housing delivery. The literature reviewed and the feedback from the surveys; indicate that these problems have a vast impact on housing projects. The survey also reveals that it is not only housing Project Managers (PMs) that are unable to perform well, but also other parties involved in the project management of housing projects and which play a great role in project management failures of housing projects. Some of these parties are consultants and contractors. The lack of performance by project managers affects the delivery of houses negatively in the NMBM.

The study investigates problems affecting housing delivery in King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality Local Municipality. The housing development in this area is not up to standard. This situation is worse in rural areas where housing projects have been obstructed by lack of infrastructure and other essential services. This is a serious problem that this local municipality is facing; the most vulnerable are the poor, residing in these rural areas. The study has investigated this problem in King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality Local Municipality with specific attention to Bongweni Administrative Area in Mthatha. The investigation indicates that there are serious challenges facing housing.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There exists a concern about the low rate of providing low-cost houses in South Africa. The premise of the research study is that in the presence of a growing shortage of houses characterised by unplanned squatter settlements, activities for identifying housing beneficiaries should be planned and executed in ways that do not adversely influence the implementation schedules for housing projects. Project management as a discipline provides skills and techniques that are utilised in housing project management. The tendency for housing project implementers to view efficiency in quantitative terms is challenged by pressures from the institutional environment that demand attention to qualitative aspects of housing projects. The research study addresses beneficiary listing as an influential process in the implementation of housing projects. The study is presented in related topics. They are, project management, the institutional environment of the beneficiary listing process, a case study of the Snake Valley Housing Project near Stellenbosch, measurement, observations, and findings. The study concludes with recommendations for the adoption of structure related mechanisms that influence planning, managing and control of housing project activities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kommer bestaan oor die vlakke van lae-koste behuisingslewering in Suid-Afrika. Die premise van hierdie studie is dat in die groeiende tekort aan huise en ook onbeplande informele nedersettings, aktiwiteite vir die identifisering van behuising begunstigdes, beplan en uitgevoer behoort te word op so 'n wyse dat dit nie die implementering skedules van behuisingsprojekte negatief beinvloed nie. 'n Tendens by behuisingsprojek implementeerders om effektiwiteit in kwantitatiewe terme te bejeën word hiermee uitgedaag vanuit die institusionele omgewing wat toenemend vereis dat aandag ook gewy moet word aan die kwalitatiewe aspekte van behuisingsprojekte. Hierdie studie fokus op die proses van behuisingswaglysting en hoe dit die implementering van behuisingsprojekte beinvloed. Die studie word aangebied deur die volgende verbandhoudende aspekte naamlik projekbestuur, die institusionele omgewing van die behuising waglystingsproses, 'n gevalstudie van die Snake Valley Behuisingsprojek naby Stellenbosch, waarnemings en bevindinge. Die studie eindig met aanbevelings vir die aanvaarding van bepaalde meganismes wat die beplanning, bestuur en beheer van behuising projekaktiwiteite kan beinvloed.

Thesis (M.A. (Dev. Studies)) --University of Limpopo, 2007 / This study analyzes challenges facing housing programmes, predominantly low cost housing projects. An assessment of the Nobody Mothapo low cost housing project in the Polokwane Municipality was done. The officials of the Department of Local Government and Housing, Polokwane Municipality, and beneficiaries of the Nobody Mothapo project participated in the study. The sample consisted of 43 participants with different characteristics. Group discussions were conducted during the data collection process. The findings of this study are that government is attempting to fulfill its obligations by providing shelter to the needy people although there are negative effects hampering the implementation process. The slow housing delivery process and poor quality houses are negatively affecting homeless people. Human settlements are still established without the necessary infrastructure such as electricity, roads and other social amenities. In this study the challenges facing this housing delivery process are discussed. Recommendations are made regarding the role of government. Consumer education is emphasized to enhance community participation in their development and adherence to project management principles in the planning and implementation of low cost housing projects. / Not listed

Thesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / 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.

One of the principles of Reconstruction and Development Programme is that development projects should be people driven. One of the programmes through which such people driven development is meant to be realized is the Enhanced Peoples Housing Process. This research seeks to identify the limitations in the implementation of the Enhanced People’s Housing Policy, to ascertain the involvement of beneficiary communities in the process, and to assess improvement in the quality of life of beneficiaries who have acquired houses. It is argued that these limitations may be attributed to the interpretation and implementation of the Policy Guidelines for the implementation of PHP. The researcher is of the view that development programmes should be participatory and that this will promote empowerment of communities as opposed to the creation of dependency. The researcher has selected two case studies which show that the involvement of communities in planning and decision making does meet the needs and demands of the community for improvement in an efficient and effective way.

Dakhil, Ural, & Tewfik (1987) noted that majority of people particularly in the developing world live in poverty and as a result, the acquisition of proper housing is becoming a major problem. Dakhil, Ural, & Tewfik (1987) explained that, after the Second World War, many developing countries gained independence and due to political and economic reasons, population exodus in different parts of the world occurred. This coupled with the ever increase in the population growth has contributed to increasing the housing problems in these part of the world. This problem has led governments, private sector and scholars alike to devote time to searching for mechanisms and policies that would lead to the construction of proper dwellings at a cost that would be within the reach of all concerned especially the poor and needy (Malpass & Murie, 1990). Within South Africa, an example of such policies is the social housing policy. Social housing is a relatively new concept in South Africa (SA) (Du Preez & Sale, 2013). The aim for its development is first, to restructure SA societies in order to address structural, economic, social and spatial dysfunctions and secondly, to improve and contribute to the overall functioning of the housing sector in order to widen the range of housing options available to the poor (Department of Local Government and Housing, DLGH, 2005). The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a Social Housing Project, the Walmer Links Development, as an affordable and quality housing option for low income earners in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan.

M.Ing. / In any development undertaking, costs and effectiveness are ever present factors, which need to be considered carefully and managed effectively. Cost effectiveness relates to the measure and forecast of benefits of a project in terms of mission fulfillment (project effectiveness) in monetary terms, and compares these with the project's total life-cycle cost in order to realise the full potential employed for investment decision purposes. In order to be persuaded to take on the risks (financial, political, and market) associated with property development projects, developers and/or investors need a higher return on investment. Why should developers and/or investors be concerned with cost-effectiveness analysis? The most superficial answer to this question could be, that references to such analysis can be viewed as an important source of persuasion, giving developers and/or investors an opportunity for proper determination of whether the strategy that is being proposed appears to be worthwhile. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to concentrate on one strand of a wide ranging research agenda, that should provide comprehensive and meaningful information concerned with the issue of cost effectiveness within the housing development industry.

Thesis ((MS en S)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: After many years of fragmentation and inequity, the new housing policy envisages "the establishment and maintenance of habitable, stable and sustainable public and private environments to ensure viable households and communities in areas allowing convenient access to economic opportunities, and to health, educational and social amenities" (Housing White Paper, 1994:21). It appears, however, given the size of the housing backlog (currently estimated by the Housing Minister at 2,8 million units) and the general form housing provision has taken, that the overall vision of what should be accomplished through housing development have taken the backseat to rapid housing production in the country. In practice, inhabitants of recently undertaken housing projects are to a large extent still denied access to the city and its opportunities. Recent housing projects reflect government's view that the solution to the housing problem lies in the packaged production of physical housing units, choosing to define the housing problem only in terms of "housing production and technical and engineering efficiency " (Noero, 2000: 1). This approach have been described by Noero as being naive and criticised for its ability to be counterproductive by failing to address the full spectrum of needs in the lives of people. The limited definition of housing further stands in opposition to the extensive definition of housing found in policy documents. This study, with the help of a case study of one such housing project, explored some of the dominant issues surrounding current housing provision in South Africa, and the problems associated with it. It sought to establish that current housing provision is far removed from the overall aims and objectives set out for housing development by the new housing policy. This study considered some ways of bringing housing delivery closer to the vision of housing as an engine of growth and change. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Na vele jare van fragmentasie en ongelykheid, voorsien die nuwe behuisingsbeleid "die vestiging en onderhoud van bewoonbare, stabiele en volhoubare private en publieke omgewings vir die skepping van lewensvatbare huishoudings en gemeenskappe in gebiede wat maklike toegang verseker tot ekonomiese geleeenthede, en tot gesondheids-, opvoedings- en sosiale geriewe" (Witskrif op Behuising, 1994:21). Dit blyk egter, in die lig van die geweldige behuisingsagterstand (wat tans deur die Minister van Behuising op 2,8 miljoen eenhede beraam word) en die vorm wat behuisingsvoorsiening tans aanneem, dat die versnelde produksie van huise geprioritiseer word ten koste van die visie van wat behuisingsvoorsiening in Suid-Afrika eintlik moet bereik. In die praktyk word die inwoners van behuisingprojekte wat onlangs onderneem is, steeds tot 'n groot mate ontneem van die stad en sy geleenthede. Onlangse behuisingsprojekte reflekteer die siening van die regering dat die oplossing tot die behuisingsprobleem in die produksie van fisiese wooneenhede lê, en vervolgens die definisie van behuising slegs in terme van "die produksie daarvan en die gangbaarheid in terme van tegniese en ingenieursaspekte" (Noero, 2000: 1). Hierdie benadering word deur Noero beskryf as naief en word gekritiseer vir die vermoë daarvan om teenproduktief te wees deur nie die volle spekrum van behoeftes in mense se lewens in ag te neem nie. Hierdie beperkte definisie van behuising staan verder in teenstelling met die uitgebreide definisie van behuising wat in beleidsdokumente aangetref word. In die studie, met behulp van 'n gevallestudie van een so 'n behuisingsprojek, word die dominante kwessies rondom behuisingsvoorsiening in Suid-Afrika en die probleme daar rondom, verken. Daar word gepoog om te illusteer dat huidige behuisingsvoorsiening verwyderd is van die vernaamste doelstellings van die nuwe behuisingsbeleid. Die studie het maniere oorweeg om behuisingsvoorsiening nader te bring aan die visie van behuising as 'n katalisator vir groei en verandering.