An assessment of occupants' expectation in the delivery of low-income housing in South Africa

Low-income housing provision has been a major focus of the government in postapartheid South Africa. While success can be noted, there is a growing concern on the housing expectations and satisfaction of the housing occupants'. Utilizing postoccupancy survey conducted in four locations that had benefited from the government housing subsidy scheme, the research identifies how the expectations of the occupants of low-income housing can be met in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The results from the post-occupancy survey revealed that most of the beneficiaries' housing needs were not met, as a majority of the respondents informed that they had expected bigger units; however, when they were allocated the houses, the expectation was not met. Though, a major obstacle while the respondent's expectation was not met pointed toward the lack of consultation between the Department of Human Settlement and the occupants'. A comparison is also made to ascertain the correlation between meeting of occupant's expectation and the maintenance of the houses. It is suggested that the Department of Human Settlement should conduct occupants need assessment on future housing project to be developed and on a consistence basis should employ post-occupancy survey to inform, improve and guarantee the expectation and housing satisfaction of the beneficiaries' of subsidised housing units in South Africa.