Assessing the impact of low-cost housing in small towns: a comparison approach of the Nkandla and Umzimkhulu Municipalities in South Africa.
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Date
2020
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Abstract
Apartheid spatial planning has deprived most people, especially the African majority, of
opportunities including decent shelter and formal human settlements. The government has thus
recognised housing provision as a fundamental component in changing the lives of poor people,
particularly in areas that were neglected during the apartheid government's rule. The
Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) is the commitment of the Democratic
Government to deal with housing problems within the country. The study was aimed at conducting
an assessment of the impact of low-cost housing in small towns. This was done through a
comparison between two small municipalities of Nkandla and Umzimkhulu. The study employed
a mixed-method approach to study the research aim and objectives. The approach consisted of
qualitative and quantitative datasets. The quantitative data was obtained by means of a
questionnaire, while the qualitative data was obtained by conducting key informant interviews. A
random sampling approach was used to recruit study participants. This sampling approach was
useful in reducing biases in the sampled population and thus increasing the reliability of the study
findings. A total of 100 people (n=100) were sampled from the study areas by selecting 50
participants from each community. The two key informants (n= 2) that were interviewed in the
study were selected through a purposive sampling method. The quantitative data was analysed
using descriptive statistics and displayed using graphs and tables. The qualitative data was
analysed using thematic analysis. The research found that low-cost housing supply has enhanced
the research areas' socio-economic status. In both Nkandla and Umzimkhulu, low-cost houses
expanded people's access to government services such as health centres, parks and schools, among
others. The provision of the houses in the case studies exposed the communities to improved basic
services such as sanitation, electricity and water. However, it was also found that a significant
number of people were not satisfied with the quality of their houses. The complaints raised
included roofs with no ceilings, doors that were difficult to open or close, and broken windows.
The researcher recommended that the quality of the low-cost houses be improved. It was also
recommended that the government work closely with community members to further improve the
socio-economic status of the communities.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.