Integrating Poor Populations in South African Cities - Agence ...

The Limits of the
Government’s Actions
8
8.1. The Weaknesses of the Housing Delivery Approach
In regard to the presentation of South Africa’s housing policy, it is undeniable that
the government of South Africa wants to provide needy populations with housing and,
to a certain extent, is doing so. The post-apartheid policies have made it possible to
provide roofs and access to essential services to a very large number of households.
However, the developments that have been made — that is to say primarily forms of
housing built by the government for poor populations — have definite inconveniences.
They do not help accomplish the government’s goal of building post-apartheid cities,
that is to say cities that are accessible for all and integrate the various populations within
the urban landscape. Following the self-criticism and assessment of the housing policy
and then the official publication of Breaking New Ground, the Department of Housing
now advocates the construction of living spaces and not merely housing.
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8.1.1. A Housing Supply that Does Not Meet All Needs
One limitation concerns the housing policy as such, that is to say the production
of housing solutions. Indeed, the various types of housing offered by the government
do not make it possible to meet all needs. The fact that each household earning less
© AFD 2009 Integrating Poor Populations in South African Cities