Social Housing Policy Implementation Challenges in South African Local Municipalities

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the barriers to secure affordable rental social housing at municipal level. There are challenges that are inherent in the current social housing delivery implementation system. The paper emanates from an empirical study undertaken to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of intergovernmental relations system in Gauteng Province in the implementation of social housing using selected three metropolitan municipalities namely: Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Johannesburg. A mixedmethod approach was used with questionnaires, interviews, and documentary analysis to collect data. The findings show that municipalities are faced with challenges of human settlement planning and land use; supply, release of land and provision of basic infrastructure; administrative and institutional capacity as policy implementation impediments to a system of financing social housing and financial planning; and coordination of social housing and intergovernmental relations functions and activities. The practical implication is that the challenges impact negatively on the delivery of social housing in South African municipalities. The challenges have a bearing on the current legislative framework which impact and influence the speedy release of land for social housing development, human settlement planning systems, financial and budgeting for the delivery of social units in South African municipalities. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge as it present the challenges in the implementation social housing policy and the impact of stakeholder management as social housing delivery cut across spheres of government and other government entities