Upgrading informal housing units: preliminary evidence from Sejake Square

Abstract

English: A fierce debate has prevailed until the present time as to just what role low-income households can play in providing their own housing environment. The main question is whether it can be assumed that low-income households should be held responsible for their housing needs, or whether the state should be more actively involved in providing housing for these households. In this paper it is argued, by means of a literature overview as well as empirical evidence from Sejake Square, that low-income households, given the right environment, are in fact actively involved in upgrading their informal housing units to better, more formal units. The two most prominent aspects that play a role in this regard are the period of residence and the size of the household in the area. The availability of funding also plays a role in formalisation. The conclusion reached in this paper is that government could consider providing only the infrastructure, and leaving the construction of housing units to low-income households.

Afrikaans: Daar is tans nog ’n heftige debat oor die rol wat lae-inkomste-huisgesinne in die behuisingsomgewing kan speel. Kan dit aanvaar word dat lae-inkomste-huisgesinne vir hulle behuisingsbehoeftes verantwoordelik gehou moet word, of kan die staat nie ’n groter rol in die verband speel nie? In die artikel word aan die hand van ’n literatuuroorsig sowel as empiriese gegewens uit Sejake Square geargumenteer dat laeinkomste- huisgesinne, gegewe die geskikte omgewing, aktief by die opgradering van behuisingsbehoeftes betrokke is. Die twee mees prominente faktore is die tyd wat op die spesifieke plek spandeer word en die grootte van die huishouding. Die beskikbaarheid van befondsing speel ook ’n belangrike rol in die uitvoerbaarheid. Die slotsom is dat die regering dit kan oorweeg om slegs die infrastruktuur te voorsien en die behuisingskonstruksie by die lae-inkomste-huisgesinne te laat.