Enkele riglyne vir die ontwikkeling van laekostebehuising in Suid-Afrika

M.Com. ( Business Management)The dire shortage of low cost housing in South Africa has a detrimental effect on both the social and economic welfare of the country. On comparison of the percentage that housing construction comprises of the Gross Domestic Product in South Africa to the international experience, it becomes clear that this country lags behind the international trend for countries on a comparable level of economic development. Given the multiplier effect that construction causes in the economy, the importance of increased expenditure on housing become paramount.The current shortage of low cost housing, especially amongst the black population is partly the legacy of the policy of separate development followed by the National Party since 1948. Because black people were regarded as temporary citizens insufficient funds were allocated by the fiscus in the national budget. The shortage of low cost housing has increased to the point where the backlog of houses is estimate at 188 000 houses.This is beyond the ability of the fiscus to address. The need to mobilise private sector finance in the quest to eradicate this backlog is clear. Efforts by the government to supply low cost housing has met with limited success due to intervention by the mass based organisations, such as the South African National Civics Organisation. The financial institutions has withdrawn from the low cost housing market because of the losses suffered as a result of the bond boycott. A further factor inhibiting low cost housing development is the plethora of rules and regulations governing township development. The high standard of servicing required for a stand has placed the price of a serviced stand outside the affordability of the financially disadvantaged part of the population. The need to apply third world standard to a third world problem is evident. There is a need for holistic approach to the housing problem, an approach based on the co-operation of all the players in the housing field. Such a strategy can be negotiated at a representative forum such as the National Housing Forum. This can ensure the participation of communities, the government, financial institutions, private sector developers and the representatives of the mass based organisations