1. Members of Finland Parliamentary Delegation Policy Approaches into Housing in South Africa Presentation by the Department of Human Settlements

2. 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.

3. Legislation Framework

4. 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

5. Norms and Standards

6. 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 m 2; 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.

7. Housing Finance

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. Housing Subsidy System (HSS)

12. 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.

13. Responsibilities 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

14. Planning Aspects

15. 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

16. 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

17. Social Aspects

18. 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

19. 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

20. Environmentally Sound Guidelines on Housing Development

21. 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

22. 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

23. Thank you for your attention