Members of Finland Parliamentary Delegation

Policy Approaches into Housing in South Africa

Presentation by the Department of Human Settlements

Background• At its inception, the Housing Policy and Strategy

(1994) focused on:• Stabilising the environment to transform the fragmented,

complex and racially biased financial and institutional framework inherited from the previous government;

• Establishing new systems to address the housing backlogs (housing subsidy programmes).

• The introduction of the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements, “Breaking New Ground (BNG)” signaled a shift to a demand driven approach.

Legislation Framework

The Constitution, 1996• Section 26:– Every one has the right to have access to

adequate housing;– The State must take reasonable legislative and

other measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of this right;

– No one may be evicted from their home or have their homes demolished without an order of a Court after considering the relevant circumstances

Norms and Standards

Compliance • To ensure quality and durability, all houses

undertaken thought the national housing programmes must adhere to norms and standards;

• The minimum size of the house is 40 m2; • The house must have:– Two bedrooms– Separate bathroom with a toilet, shower and hand

basin– Separate kitchen/living room – Ready board electrical installation where

electricity is available.

Housing Finance

Housing Finance• Since 1994, the Government has made more than

2.3 million housing units available to nearly 11 million people;

• Government’s expenditure on housing provision has increased to around R 22 billion (approximately USD 2.9 billion) for the current financial year;

• Housing budget is projected to grow to R26.6 billion (approximately USD 3.53 billion);

• The Housing backlog is approximated at over 2,1 million people.

Housing Subsidy • The Housing Subsidy is the primary assistance measure

for the National Housing Programme;• The Housing Subsidy is R 55 706 (approximately 7405

US Dollars);• Households with an income of up to R 3500 per month

(approximately 465 US Dollars) can apply for a free housing subsidy;

• Households earning between R3501 and R15 000 per month (USD465 and USD1995) can apply for a subsidy linked to a loan agreement with a financial institution

Housing Subsidy

• Coupled to the provision of housing, Government also offers other basic social services package for the poor, including:– free 12 Kilolitres of water– free 100 kilowatts of electricity– free 6 Kilolitres of water for sanitation

Housing Subsidy System (HSS)

Aim of HSS Aim of HSS

• To manage and administrate the housing subsidy policy ; • To guide users to correctly implement the Housing Programmes; • To provide adequate security controls & audit trails; • To provide a reporting tool; and• To monitor and evaluate the implementation of the housing subsidy programmes.

Responsibilities of HSSResponsibilities of HSS

• Facilitate the implementation of the Housing Subsidy Scheme mechanisms; • Provide checks and balances to ensure policy adherence; • Guidelines for the implementation of projects; and • Supply performance-monitoring information

Planning Aspects

• City planning is the responsibility of Local Municipalities;

• Planning systems are democratic and inclusive of civil society;

• The Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), legally required to be prepared by all municipalities, are based on broad community participation and inter-sector coordination;

• The IDPs include a specific focus on the identification of housing and infrastructure needs integrated with budgets and time frames for the pro-active development of sustainable human settlements.

City planning

• Ensure inhabitants have access to adequate housing;

• Remove health risks;• Provide bulk and connector services;• Provide internal services;• Set delivery goals;• Identify land for housing;• Initiate, plan, coordinate, facilitate, and promote

housing development; and• Develop Integrated Development Plans (IDPs).

Municipal Functions in terms of housing development

Social Aspects

• The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is one of South African Government’s short-to-medium term programmes aimed at the provision of additional work opportunities coupled with training. The Housing Programme is based on its principles;

• The IDPs include a specific focus on the identification of housing and infrastructure needs - demand-defined and supply negotiated housing delivery;

Pro poor policies

• Community participation is a key component of this process;

• Various human settlement programmes address and advocate community participation – e.g. programme for informal settlements allocates funding to facilitate community participation

Pro poor policies

Environmentally Sound Guidelines on Housing Development

Energy Efficient design considerations

• House orientation:• Northern orientation of the house at planning and

design phase; • House plan & layout:

• Windows, doors, roof overhang on the northern side;

• Units that share walls provide insulation against heat loss & undesirable heat gain

Water Efficient Design Considerations

• Correct layout of plumbing system; • Correct pipe sizing; • Correct water pressure; • Plumbing fittings must comply with norms

and standards of water supply & drainage systems

Thank you for your attention