LEGAL MATTERS
SPONSORED BY STBB
Some thoughts on inclusionary housing
CREDIT : SHIVENDU SHUKLA | UNSPLASH
By Maryna Botha , Director STBB
To include affordable units within new developments is a consideration that is intensely debated in South Africa . While it is relatively well-developed in other jurisdictions , such as the United States , New Zealand and some European countries , local development of inclusionary housing models is still in an introductory phase .
Both the City of Johannesburg and the City of Cape Town have kickstarted planning to accommodate inclusionary housing to resolve ( i ) existing inequalities in housing offerings ; ( ii ) the housing demand from low-income households ; and ( iii ) the lack of social mix in race and income across these jurisdictions . Their targets are to increase housing supply for the lower income earners , create a mix of different income groups in new developments and to provide affordable housing units in areas close to jobs and amenities .
However well intended and deliberated the municipal policies for the promotion of inclusionary housing may be , these alone are insufficient methods by which to achieve the required outcomes because they are not nuanced enough to reflect the various faces of ‘ low-to-moderate-income ’ residents within new developments . According to industry role-players , a one-size fits all policy approach risks failure .
REACHING THE IDEAL OUTCOME
The housing crisis in South Africa presents factually in the numerous poor ( mainly black ) households who do not have access to adequate housing , much of which is ascribed to spatial architecture and settlement patterns that were a
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