Hostel conversion through the Institutional Housing Subsidy as affordable housing: case study of the Sethokga Pilot Project, Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract

English: Existing government policies and programmes promote the redevelopment of single sex public hostels to provide family units as a sustainable form of housing for the poor in South Africa. A survey was carried out among residents of Sethokga hostel in preparation of a pilot conversion project with funding via the Institutional Housing Subsidy. The survey revealed that low pay and high unemployment contributed to real fears among residents about their ability to afford rent for the upgraded accommodation, and the possibility of displace ment, and even eviction as a result. The expressed need therefore, appeared to be for flexible funding arrangements that allow for affordable accommo dation options not limited to family units, ranging from single rooms to apart ments for sub letting and sharing, an option which would not be possible with the use of the Institutional Housing Subsidy as the sole funding instrument.

Afrikaans: Bestaande regeringsbeleid en programme moedig die herontwikkeling van openbare hostelle vir enkellopendes na gesinseenhede aan as ’n volhoubare vorm van behuising vir armes in Suid Afrika. ’n Opname is gedoen onder in woners van die Sethokga hostel ter voorbereiding van ’n omskeppings loods projek wat deur middel van die Institusionele Behuising Subsidie bevonds sal word. Die opname het getoon dat lae besoldiging en hoë vlakke van werk loosheid bygedra het tot ware besorgdheid by inwoners oor hul vermoë om die verhoogde huurgeld vir die verbeterde verblyf te bekostig asook vrese oor gevolglike ontworteling en uitsetting. Die uitgesproke behoefte blyk derhalwe te wees vir meer buigsame bevondsingsmetodes wat voorsiening maak vir be kostigbare verblyfsopsies wat nie beperk is tot gesinseenhede nie, en wat strek van enkelkamers tot woonstelle vir onderverhuring en gedeelde inwoning, ’n opsie wat nie moontlik sou wees met die Institusionele Behuising Subsidie as enigste bevondingsinstrument nie.