Abstract
Affordable, adequate housing undergirds all social and economic relations, connecting communities with other related services that are key for people's optimum development. It is a key social welfare service and a basic human need whose empowerment function resonates with the social work agenda of enabling smooth functioning of the society and creating socially and economically viable communities. This paper reports on the housing experiences of social housing beneficiaries in Gauteng. Using an empowerment lens, the author contends that housing has a potential of giving people more control and self-determination over their lives by linking them to the economy. Through purposive sampling, this qualitative study selected two social housing institutions in Johannesburg and one in Pretoria. In each of these institutions, a focus group discussion was conducted with the beneficiaries. Research findings showed that adequate housing delivery bears 'multiplier' empowerment dividends, directly helping the poor to break from cycle of poverty. Consonant with its mandate of empowering communities, social work need to be more proactive in housing advocacy on behalf of the poor marginalised individuals and groups.