Housing conditions in South Africa often ‘desperate’ despite efforts – UN expert

South Africa has made great efforts to redress housing inequality but desperate living conditions persist, according to a United Nations human rights expert who today called on the country’s Government to boost social services and take other measures to improve all settlements.

“Success cannot be measured merely through the number of houses built but also needs to take into account quality of housing and access to services, especially for the poor,” the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Miloon Kothari, who visited the country from 12 to 24 April, said.

In a statement released in Geneva, Mr. Kothari acknowledged efforts made by the South African authorities at all levels to address democratization of housing since the end of apartheid in 1994, and he said that genuine attempts by law and policy makers have been made to deal with racial segregation, inequality and systematic human rights violations.

In that light, he said he was particularly pleased that 90 per cent of land claimed by communities after desegregation had already been redistributed.

At the same time, he said many informal settlements that have sprung up as a result of large development projects, rapid urbanization and land restitution claims still face desperate conditions.

“In many such cases, communities do not receive even the most basic support services, including proper sanitation, water, access to schools, and access to livelihood options,” he said, adding that “there are few follow up support mechanisms such as regular maintenance or service repair facilities in cases of resettlement.”

To redress these conditions, Mr. Kothari recommended that the Government improve coordination between departments covering housing, water, health and social services, ensuring a unified approach to housing.

He also advocated inclusive tactics for the rehabilitation of urban areas, strategies to mitigate skyrocketing real-estate prices, restrictions on evictions and renewed concern for land restitution for indigenous peoples and shelter for households headed by women.

Mr. Kothari, who acts in an independent personal capacity, will present his final recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council.