Buffalo City Social Housing Rental Strategy and Implementation Plan
A social housing rental strategy and implementation plan for Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, sponsored by the Social Housing Regulatory Authority, targeting households earning between R1 850 and R22 000 per month.
2023 · Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality · Housing policy and strategy · 12 months duration
Key contributors: Annette Engelbrecht
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, with the Social Housing Regulatory Authority as project sponsor, engaged Cadre to prepare a social housing rental strategy and implementation plan. The strategy gives effect to the rental housing element of the national Breaking New Ground policy and supports implementation of the municipality's 2016 Integrated Sustainable Human Settlement Plan.
The work mapped the full rental ladder, from informal settlements, backyard dwellings and communal housing through Community Residential Units, social housing and inclusionary housing, to the formal private market, with the income bands that apply to each category. It also analysed capital financing, where the Consolidated Capital Grant typically covers 70% of project cost, with loan financing and equity making up the balance.
The strategy sets objectives for a capacitated rental housing directorate, approved municipal policies and strategic partnerships. It flags programme risks candidly, including insufficient grant funding, failed co-operative housing models and the caution needed with rent-to-buy schemes.
Key figures: Target incomes R1 850 – R22 000 per month | 70% of capital cost via Consolidated Capital Grant | 7 rental housing categories defined