Exploring factors affecting public housing allocation in Bitou municipality between 2010 – 2020: a document analysis
Loading...
Date
2024
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Public housing allocation represents one of the most ambitious state-led housing programmes in South Africa. This is because public housing allocation is a shared competence of national, provincial and local governments. The national government's role in policy formation and funding allocation often conflicts with provincial governments' oversight responsibilities and municipalities' implementation duties. This has resulted in coordination failures, duplicated efforts, and accountability gaps that directly impact the effectiveness of housing delivery. While the Constitution of South Africa establishes housing as a concurrent function, the practical implementation of this shared responsibility has created significant confusion and operational inefficiencies. Literature shows that poor intergovernmental coordination has particularly affected low-income housing projects, where unclear decision-making hierarchies have hampered efficient resource allocation and project execution. Furthermore, these challenges are further exacerbated by capacity constraints at the local government level, where municipalities struggle to navigate complex intergovernmental relationships while managing immediate housing delivery demands. The geographical area selected for this research is Bitou Municipality in Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa. This municipality consists of seven wards, each represented by a ward councillor. Municipalities have a critical role to play in the allocation of public housing.
Description
Keywords
Public housing, Facilitators, Informal Settlements, Development, Reconstruction