Post Occupancy Evaluation of Housing Subsidy Beneficiaries

South Africa is one of the countries in the world that has delivered the highest number of houses to the poor through various delivery mechanisms. This was done to fulfil her vision of adequate housing for all, as reflected in the National Housing Policy framework. Over the last seventeen years, the African National Congress led government has vigorously ensured that essential services were made available to advance the lives of the people. Since 1994 about 3 million houses have been delivered, providing more than 13 million people with secure homes. One of the housing strategies, as contained in the National Housing Policy is to provide subsidy assistance to low income groups to enable them to become home owners and improve their quality of life. The Housing Subsidy Scheme, has to date helped reduce the housing backlog. This publication advances knowledge on the post occupancy experience of housing subsidy beneficiaries, by exploring what beneficiaries do with the subsidized houses; if the subsidized houses have improved their lives etc. At a general level, the study contributes to efforts at improving low-income housing delivery in South Africa.