SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: 5 TH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RIGHTS REPORT SERIES 2002/2003: THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE HOUSING JUNE 2006

BACKGROUND South African Human Rights Economic and Social Review report on the right of access to adequate housing Review of the state of housing for financial year 2002/2003 Under Expenditure Constraints Challenges for housing development New Policies and Programmes Recommendations

THE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO ADEQUATE HOUSING Elements to access to adequate housing: –Security of tenure –Availability of services, materials, facilities and infrastructure –Affordable housing –Habitable housing –Accessible housing –Location –Culturally adequate housing.

UNDER EXPENDITURE CONSTRAINTS Failure to secure suitably located land Delays in tender adjudication Municipalities failing to submit business plans Delays in the National Department approving projects Capacity constraints Corruption Political intervention Delays at the Deeds Office

NEW POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES (announced in 2002) Medium Density Housing Rental Housing policy Framework Social Housing Emergency Housing Policy National Home Builder’s Registration Council’s Warranty Scheme Human Settlement Redevelopment Programme

HOUSING DELIVERY CHALLENGES Poor quality of houses Segmentation between departments involved with housing Lack of comprehensive and coordinated housing crisis response for vulnerable groups Lack of capacity at municipal level Inability to spend budget votes The delay in the release of state land as a result of land claims

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HRC REPORT & NDOH RESPONSES Policy coherence between relevant departments – cooperative governance – alignment between provincial housing and Treasury strategic plans – accreditation programme People with Special Needs – Subsidy programme provides for people with special needs - Programme Assistance in Emergency Housing Situations – HIV/aids on programme for this financial year Integration of Communities – Social housing policy restructuring zones – inclusionary housing programme

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HRC REPORT & NDOH RESPONSES Planning - Support Programme for Housing Chapters of Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) Tribal Authorities and Land Availability – DLA mandate on Restitution and Tenure Programmes – SPV for housing land acquisition Private Land Identified for Housing – draft policy on land acquisition and funding mechanisms – SPV for housing land acquisition Culturally Adequate Housing – finalised feasibility report on mechanism to support alternative technologies and indigenous knowledge

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HRC REPORT & NDOH RESPONSES Access to Information – Housing hotline – consumer education programmes – “Homey to Homey” (Absa partnership – will cover all official languages) Public Participation – National Housing Indaba to review policy - departmental consultative processes – fundamental requirement of informal settlement upgrading policy – IDP housing chapters Eviction – Rental Housing Act (50 of 99), Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (19 of 98) – current revision in progress Bonded Houses – Housing Consumer Education training programme – “Homey to Homey” Farm Workers – draft policy developed in collaboration with DLA – rural housing indaba – 3 rd qtr

THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE HOUSING THANK YOU