Abstract
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 respondents 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 occupants' 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.