“Dying to get a house?” The health outcomes of the South African low-income housing programme

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 48-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lochner Marais ◽  
Jan Cloete
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
South African ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The South ◽  
Housing Programme ◽  
Low Income Housing

Sustainable housing financing model to reduce South Africa housing deficit

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bashir Olanrewaju Ganiyu ◽  
Julius Ayodeji Fapohunda ◽  
Rainer Haldenwang
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
South African Government ◽  
The South ◽  
African Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mortgage Payment

Purpose This study aims to identify and establish effective housing financing concepts to be adopted by government in achieving its mandate of providing sustainable affordable housing for the poor to decrease the building of shacks, as well as proposing solutions to the housing deficit in South Africa. A rise in demand and shortage in supply of housing calls for the need to address issues of affordable housing in South Africa, and developing countries in general, to ensure a stable and promising future for poor families. Design/methodology/approach Literature has revealed that the South African government, at all levels, accorded high priority to the provision of low-cost housing. Thus, government has adopted subsidy payment as a method of financing affordable housing to ensure that houses are allocated free to the beneficiaries. This also addresses the historically race-based inequalities of the past, but unfortunately, this has not been fully realised. This study uses a sequential mixed method approach, where private housing developers and general building contractors were the research participants. The qualitative data were analysed using a case-by-case analysis, and quantitative data were analysed using a descriptive statistical technique on SPSS. Findings The results of the qualitative analysis reveal a gross abuse of the housing subsidies system by the beneficiaries of government-funded housing in South Africa. This is evident from illegal sale of the houses below market value. This has led to a continual building of shacks and an increased number of people on the housing waiting list instead of a decrease in the housing deficit. The results from quantitative analysis affirm the use of “Mortgage Payment Subsidies, Mortgage Payment Deductions, Down-Payment Grant and Mortgage Interest Deductions” as viable alternatives to subsidy payment currently in use to finance affordable housing projects by the South African Government. Practical implications At the moment, the focus of the South African National Government is continual provision of free housing to the historically disadvantage citizens, but the housing financing method being used encourages unapproved transfer of ownership in the affordable housing sector. This study thus recommends the use of an all-inclusive housing financing method that requires a monetary contribution from the beneficiaries to enable them take control of the process. Originality/value The relational interface model proposed in this study will reduce pressure on government budgetary provision for housing and guarantee quick return of private developers’ investment in housing. Government must, as a matter of urgency, launch a continuous awareness programme to educate the low-income population on the value and the long-term benefits of the housing.

scholarly journals A consumer perspective of the South African red meat classification system

1970 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-354
Author(s):  
H Vermeulen ◽  
HC Schonfeldt ◽  
B Pretorius
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Classification System ◽  
Meat Product ◽  
Red Meat ◽  
High Income ◽  
Observational Research ◽  
Eating Quality ◽  
The South ◽  
Labelling Information

The South African consumer market is characterised by socio-economic and cultural diversity. Food expenditure patterns, behaviour and preferences differ significantly between the various socio-economic sub-groups. Packaging information, including red meat classification information, could be an important tangible resource used by consumers to gauge product quality. The first objective of the research reported in this paper is to investigate the red meat knowledge, usage and perceptions regarding beef and sheep meat classification and related quality parameters among South African consumers. Consumer perceptions of red meat classification were extracted from a comprehensive consumer survey among stratified representative samples of South African low-, middle- and high-income consumers (n = 165, n = 171 and n = 249). The paper also briefly reports on an in-store ‘observational’ research project that was conducted to develop an understanding of the communication of carcass classification to consumers through fresh red meat product labels at independent butchers and large retailers across South Africa (n = 60). Low-income consumers had very limited understanding and gave little attention to red meat classification. Even though middle-class and wealthy consumers also have a limited understanding of red meat classification, about half of these consumers check for a classification mark. Red meat classification was not mentioned by consumers as a major concern regarding red meat, but related aspects were important such as quality, fattiness, tenderness, juiciness, taste, freshness, smell and appearance. Purchase considerations for beef and mutton/lamb focussed largely on safety, appearance, price and eating quality. Labelling information observed at retail outlets gave very little attention to classification. There is a definite need for consumer education relating to the red meat classification system and for the development of an appropriate front-of-pack labelling system to communicate red meat classification.Keywords: Beef, high-income, knowledge, labelling information, lamb, low-income, middle-income, mutton, perceptions

scholarly journals NITROGEN OXIDES ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN HIGHVELD

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Ross ◽  
S Broccardo ◽  
K.P Heue ◽  
K Ferguson ◽  
S Piketh
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
The South ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
Satellite Retrievals ◽  
Surface Measurements ◽  
Airborne Imaging ◽  
Research Initiatives

Satellite retrievals have highlighted the South African Highveld as a region with one of the highest nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission densities in the world. There are numerous sources of NOx on the Highveld, including coal-fired power stations, petrochemical and other industries, motor vehicles and lightning, but surface measurements of NOx have not indicated that there is any cause for concern. A number of research initiatives are being undertaken in an attempt to resolve the discrepancy between surface measurements and satellite retrievals of NOx. An assessment of ground-level concentrations in various environments, including industrial and urban regions, has shown that NOx levels recorded in the low-income urban area are significantly higher than those recorded downwind of industries or power stations. NO2 column densities have been remotely sensed over the Highveld using an airborne imaging DifferentialOptical Absorption Spectrometer (iDOAS), in order to validate the satellite retrievals and investigate individual sources of NOx. Results from the first campaign show high NO2 integrated column densities in the immediate vicinity of sources. Well defined plumes can be observed downwind of prominent sources.

South African community in Auckland

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-404
Author(s):  
Osamuede Odiase ◽  
Suzanne Wilkinson ◽  
Andreas Neef
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Community Resilience ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
African Community

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the resilience of the South African community in Auckland to a potential hazard event. Design/methodology/approach The research collected data from both primary and secondary sources. The research used parametric and non-parametric analytical procedures for quantitative data and a general inductive approach to qualitative data analysis and a three-step coding cycle for interviews. A content analytical process of theme formation was used to analyse secondary materials. The research discussed findings in line with related studies on community resilience. Findings The aggregate community resilience index was above average on the scale of 1–5. The highest and lowest contributions to the resilience of the South African community came from communication and information and physical capacities of the community. Although the highest contribution came from the communication domain, there is a need to sensitise the community on the importance of real-time information for resilience. Community ability to respond as a first responder and to access diverse sources was low because of a lack of interest in disaster risk reduction activities and membership of associations. Intervention in the economic domain and affordable housing is needed to assist low-income earners in coping with a potential disaster and enhance future resilience. Research limitations/implications The practical resilience of the community is limited to the time of this research. The state of resilience might change in longitudinal research due to changes in resources and ecosystem. The research did not consider institutional and natural domains because its focus was to predict resilience at the individual level. Practical implications At-risk societies could enhance their resilience through a periodic audit into its resources, identify indicators of low resilience and carry out interventions to address potential vulnerabilities. Besides the importance of resource in resilience, the research illuminates the need to address the question of who is resilient and resources distribution in the community. The issues are imperative in community resilience as they underpinned the personal ability to preparedness, response and recover from a disaster. Originality/value Although the research provides insight into the resilience of the South African community, it constitutes preliminary research towards a further understanding of the resilience of the South African community in Auckland.

scholarly journals Correcting respirable photometric particulate measurements using a gravimetric sampling method

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Language ◽  
S.J. Piketh ◽  
R.P. Burger
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
South African ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Solid Fuels ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
The South ◽  
Photometric Calibration

According to the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act of 2004 people have the right to clean air and a healthy environment. Particulate matter (PM) emissions pose a significant health threat. Both indoor and ambient air pollution contribute to the burden of disease associated with poor air quality. This is particularly true within the South African setting where low income households make use of different solid fuels for heating and cooking purposes resulting in high levels of PM emissions. This paper focuses on the evaluation mass concentration measurements recorded by continuous photometric PM instruments within KwaDela, a low income settlement in Mpumalanga located on the South African Highveld. Thus, obtaining a photometric calibration factor for both the DustTrak Model 8530 and the SidePak AM510. Sampling took place during August 2014 for a period of seven days. The photometric and gravimetric instruments were collocated within the indoor environment of selected households. These instruments were all fitted with 10mm Dorr-Oliver Cyclone inlets to obtain the respirable (PM4) cut-point. The study found that both instruments tend to overestimate the indoor particulate mass concentrations when compared to the reference gravimetric method. The estimated photometric calibration factors for the DustTrak Model 8530 and SidePak AM510 are 0.14 (95%Cl: 0.09, 0.15) and 0.24 (95%Cl: 0.16, 0.30) respectively. The overestimation of the photometric measurements is rather significant. It is therefore important that the correction factors are applied to data collected in indoor environments prone to the combustion of solid fuels. The correction factors obtained from this and other studies vary as a result of the environment (ambient, indoor etc.) as well as the aerosol size fraction and the origin thereof. Thus, it is important to considered site specific calibration factors when implementing these photometric light-scattering instruments.

scholarly journals Factors influencing the quality of low-income housing in Polokwane Municipality South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-52
Author(s):  
Kgashane Stephen Nyakala ◽  
◽  
Sekou Dolly Ramoroka ◽  
Kemlall Ramdass
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Low Income ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Construction Quality ◽  
Housing Projects ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Design Construction ◽  
Low Income Housing

Recent South African and international evidence highlights the broad and lasting impacts of households, particularly those on low income, when unable to afford higher income counterparts to live in apartments, maintained public housing, and other high-quality houses. A broad range of low-income houses recently built in South African local municipalities are reportedly defective, due to poor building and construction quality. This study aims to assess and determine the factors influencing high-quality housing positively impacting on the lives of a significant proportion of low-income housing projects. Reasons for and obstacles to quality design, construction quality and the development of low-income housing projects were identified. To assess the research questions, a quantitative survey (n=103) was carried out, simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select contractors who were active in low-income housing projects within the Polokwane Municipality. The quantitative data gathered were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to determine a combination of descriptive and non-parametric statistics of the data computing the frequencies, mean scores and standard deviations. Selected results show that poor-quality and low-income housing projects are perceived to be related to the contractors, builders and construction practitioners not complying with the standards, variously because of insufficient training or accountability to public authorities and end users of low-income houses, i.e., the beneficiaries. The respondents were of the view that house builders and local government authorities could use five factors, namely quality standards, management, involvement of people, process design and process, planning and scheduling to assess non-conformance to quality requirements in low-income housing projects in South Africa. The finding of this study provides a platform for improving the quality of housing design, construction projects, sustainability and an opportunity for local and international design and construction professionals to rethink design in the context of low-income housing projects.

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