Inadequate Housing and Homelessness, With Specific Reference to South Africa and Australia

Abstract

The main objective of this paper was to assess the phenomena of homelessness and inadequate housing in South Africa and Australia. The paper used a review of literature method. Findings show poor quality building materials, many people in need of housing, long waiting lists and slow delivery, and the challenges governments face in implementing and managing housing programmes effectively and efficiently are among the problems associated with the provision of adequate housing, according to the. All these factors have significantly contributed to both the proliferation of informal settlements and ever-increasing numbers of homeless population. Evidently, the successful implementation of housing programmes is hampered by a lack of political will and insufficient commitment on the part of governments to fulfil their obligations with respect to ensuring that all citizens have access to decent and adequate housing. There is a need for shifts in policy towards a more holistic approach that also includes measures to promote empowerment through self-employment and other income-related provisions.