REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA COMBINED SECOND PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLE`S RIGHTS
and INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA
52,9% to 54,9% while the percentage of partially owned dwellings declined from 15,5%
to 11,5%.234
234
235
448.
The Housing Act, 1997235 provides for the facilitation of a sustainable housing
development process and lays down the roles, responsibilities and functions of the
different spheres of government. Government’s responsibilities are outlined in the
Housing Act. National government is responsible for, among other things, determining a
housing policy, setting broad national housing delivery goals and monitoring the
performance of provincial and local government delivery goals and budgets. It is also
required to establish and maintain a national housing data bank and information system.
Broadly, provincial government is required to “promote and facilitate the provision of
adequate housing in its province within the framework of national housing policy”. It
must coordinate housing development in the province and support municipalities in the
performance of their duties. Municipalities must ensure that the right to housing is
progressively realised in their jurisdiction. They must also identify and designate land for
housing and ensure that water, sanitation, electricity, roads, storm water drainage and
transport are provided.
449.
The National Norms and Standards 2007 outline the minimum physical requirements for
standalone dwellings. Each house must have 40m² of floor space, two bedrooms, a
separate bathroom with a toilet, a shower and hand basin, and a combined living area
and kitchen. It must also have an electrical board installed that has access to electricity.
There are further requirements regarding access to water, sanitation, roads, storm water
drains and street lighting.
General Household Survey, 2013
Act No. 107 of 1997
123