Low-income Housing Residents’ Challenges with Their Government Install Solar Water Heaters: A Case of South Africa
- Authors: Aigbavboa, Clinton
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Housing occupants , Low-income housing , Solar water heaters
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/43286 , uj:15475 , Aigbavboa, Clinton . 2015. Low-income housing residents’ challenges with their government install solar water heaters: A case of South Africa. Energy Procedia 75 ( 2015 ) 495 – 501
- Description: This paper investigate the challenges faced by the occupants’ of low-income housing with their government installed solar water heaters in South Africa, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The paper primarily investigates the challenges faced by the housing occupants since the solar heaters were installed in their low income houses. The data used in this paper were derived from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data was obtained through the survey method, while the secondary data was derived from the review of literature. The primary data for the study was collected through a structured questionnaire survey distributed to a sample of low-income households in a metropolitan municipality in South Africa. The household survey revealed that the low-income housing residents’ occupants’ faces challenges with regards to the leakage of the solar heaters and the noise from the heaters whenever the hot water taps are opened. The study gives an insightful view of the importance of using solar water heaters in energy conservation and lessening electricity financial constraints on the low-income households. The study adds to the knowledge on low income housing solar water heating in South Africa, with specific emphasis on the challenges faced by the occupants’. Further, findings from the study could be used for the development of sustainable structures in order to give access to energy and hot water to the poor and providing a better path to the improvement of life and empowerment through alternative energy usage in low-income households’ in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Aigbavboa, Clinton
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Housing occupants , Low-income housing , Solar water heaters
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/43286 , uj:15475 , Aigbavboa, Clinton . 2015. Low-income housing residents’ challenges with their government install solar water heaters: A case of South Africa. Energy Procedia 75 ( 2015 ) 495 – 501
- Description: This paper investigate the challenges faced by the occupants’ of low-income housing with their government installed solar water heaters in South Africa, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The paper primarily investigates the challenges faced by the housing occupants since the solar heaters were installed in their low income houses. The data used in this paper were derived from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data was obtained through the survey method, while the secondary data was derived from the review of literature. The primary data for the study was collected through a structured questionnaire survey distributed to a sample of low-income households in a metropolitan municipality in South Africa. The household survey revealed that the low-income housing residents’ occupants’ faces challenges with regards to the leakage of the solar heaters and the noise from the heaters whenever the hot water taps are opened. The study gives an insightful view of the importance of using solar water heaters in energy conservation and lessening electricity financial constraints on the low-income households. The study adds to the knowledge on low income housing solar water heating in South Africa, with specific emphasis on the challenges faced by the occupants’. Further, findings from the study could be used for the development of sustainable structures in order to give access to energy and hot water to the poor and providing a better path to the improvement of life and empowerment through alternative energy usage in low-income households’ in South Africa.
- Full Text:
Low cost housing in township real estate as a catalyst for wealth creation and local economic development : a spatial perspective of townships surrounding Johannesburg
- Authors: Gunter, Ashley William
- Date: 2012-06-04
- Subjects: Low-cost housing , Low-income housing , Economic development - South Africa - Johannesburg , Housing - South Africa - Johannesburg , Johannesburg (South Africa) - Economic conditions
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2314 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4772
- Description: D.Litt et Phil. , The number of slums and squatter settlements is rising globally; this is recognised as a significant problem as many of the urban poor find housing in these settlements. With the expanding slum settlements comes a serious problem for many developing nations, that of finding a mechanism to improve these informal developments. These settlements are a symptom of poor urban governance and lack of financial resources causing the urban poor to be pushed into these dwellings and find themselves on the periphery of urban society, not only geographically but socially, economically and legally. Upgrading, integration and legalisation of these housing types is necessary if these peripheral suburbs are to be developed formally. Although many governments have tried top-down approaches of upgrade, these approachs have often failed to produce results as slum upgrades often lead to displacement of the original inhabitants who are ousted into areas even further to the periphery of urban centres. This thesis looks at alternatives to viewing settlements on the urban fringe as a quandary, by using a neoliberal theoretical framework (despite its many flaws), informal property markets in townships in Johannesburg, South Africa can be seen as a catalyst for wealth creation and local economic development. This is particularly important given the historical context of apartheid in South Africa and the segregation of the majority of the population into racially exclusive slums. The post-apartheid government has rallied to improve the lives of this group of poor and dispossessed people with the provision of decent housing a key aspect of this process. A neoliberal framework for economic development was embarked upon in South Africa, with the introduction of neoliberal economic policy (namely GEAR) in 1998, South Africa embarked on a process of reform to encourage market growth. This manifest itself in the ‘Breaking New Ground’ housing policy which adopted a neoliberal stance on Housing provision, and although not removing the role of government in providing low-cost housing, it strives for a market driven housing solution. With a shortage of over 1 million houses in the city, there should be every potential market orientated low-cost housing sector, yet capital within this property sector is often referred to as dead capital with no intrinsic value. This thesis challenges that view by determining the existence of Crisylida capital in township property assets. Crisylida capital is virgining capital in the low-cost property market that could lead to the accumulation of asset capital within this property group, estimated value of Crisylida capital in Johannesburg alone is R6.3 billion. Residents in low-cost housing in Township suburbs in Johannesburg recognise economic value in their dwelling, with only 21% of participants valuing their property at less than R10 000. Further, real estate agents working the township real estate market estimate that just over 50% of properties in these areas are valued at over R200 000. Within this property environment, security of tenure plays an important role in creating not only wealth creation but equally a sense of community ownership. Houses with tenure saw 37% of respondents interested or actively participating in community projects, this compared to 13% of respondents without tenure. This thesis points to a new understanding of low-cost property in Johannesburg, South Africa as a potential market worth billions of Rands that could inject wealth into the hands of marginalised communities. This in turn could assist in fostering sustainable socio-economic urban community within disenfranchised township suburbs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gunter, Ashley William
- Date: 2012-06-04
- Subjects: Low-cost housing , Low-income housing , Economic development - South Africa - Johannesburg , Housing - South Africa - Johannesburg , Johannesburg (South Africa) - Economic conditions
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2314 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4772
- Description: D.Litt et Phil. , The number of slums and squatter settlements is rising globally; this is recognised as a significant problem as many of the urban poor find housing in these settlements. With the expanding slum settlements comes a serious problem for many developing nations, that of finding a mechanism to improve these informal developments. These settlements are a symptom of poor urban governance and lack of financial resources causing the urban poor to be pushed into these dwellings and find themselves on the periphery of urban society, not only geographically but socially, economically and legally. Upgrading, integration and legalisation of these housing types is necessary if these peripheral suburbs are to be developed formally. Although many governments have tried top-down approaches of upgrade, these approachs have often failed to produce results as slum upgrades often lead to displacement of the original inhabitants who are ousted into areas even further to the periphery of urban centres. This thesis looks at alternatives to viewing settlements on the urban fringe as a quandary, by using a neoliberal theoretical framework (despite its many flaws), informal property markets in townships in Johannesburg, South Africa can be seen as a catalyst for wealth creation and local economic development. This is particularly important given the historical context of apartheid in South Africa and the segregation of the majority of the population into racially exclusive slums. The post-apartheid government has rallied to improve the lives of this group of poor and dispossessed people with the provision of decent housing a key aspect of this process. A neoliberal framework for economic development was embarked upon in South Africa, with the introduction of neoliberal economic policy (namely GEAR) in 1998, South Africa embarked on a process of reform to encourage market growth. This manifest itself in the ‘Breaking New Ground’ housing policy which adopted a neoliberal stance on Housing provision, and although not removing the role of government in providing low-cost housing, it strives for a market driven housing solution. With a shortage of over 1 million houses in the city, there should be every potential market orientated low-cost housing sector, yet capital within this property sector is often referred to as dead capital with no intrinsic value. This thesis challenges that view by determining the existence of Crisylida capital in township property assets. Crisylida capital is virgining capital in the low-cost property market that could lead to the accumulation of asset capital within this property group, estimated value of Crisylida capital in Johannesburg alone is R6.3 billion. Residents in low-cost housing in Township suburbs in Johannesburg recognise economic value in their dwelling, with only 21% of participants valuing their property at less than R10 000. Further, real estate agents working the township real estate market estimate that just over 50% of properties in these areas are valued at over R200 000. Within this property environment, security of tenure plays an important role in creating not only wealth creation but equally a sense of community ownership. Houses with tenure saw 37% of respondents interested or actively participating in community projects, this compared to 13% of respondents without tenure. This thesis points to a new understanding of low-cost property in Johannesburg, South Africa as a potential market worth billions of Rands that could inject wealth into the hands of marginalised communities. This in turn could assist in fostering sustainable socio-economic urban community within disenfranchised township suburbs.
- Full Text:
An evaluation of the post occupancy experience of housing subsidy beneficiaries in South Africa : a case study of Gauteng
- Authors: Aigbavboa, Clinton Ohis
- Date: 2012-03-12
- Subjects: Low-income housing , Housing subsidies
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4525
- Description: M.Tech. , South Africa is one of the countries in the world that has delivered the highest number of houses to the poor through various delivery mechanisms. This was done to fulfill her vision of adequate housing for all, as reflected in the National Housing Policy framework. Over the last fifteen years, the African National Congress [ANC] led government has vigorously ensured that essential services were made available to advance the lives of ordinary people. Since 1994 to date, about 2 700 000 houses have been delivered, providing more than 13 million people with secure homes. One of the housing strategies, as contained in the National Housing Policy of 1994, was to provide subsidy assistance to low income groups to enable them to become home owners and improve their quality of life. The Housing Subsidy Scheme, adopted as the channel of delivery, has to date helped reduce the housing backlog and is tending to reach the goal of eradicating informal settlement by 2014. This research work is an evaluation of the post-occupancy experience of housing subsidy beneficiaries. The study evaluated satisfaction levels of subsidy beneficiaries, what beneficiaries actual do with the subsidized houses after they have been allocated to them, to ascertain if the subsidized houses have improved the beneficiaries’ lives. It also evaluates if the progressive strategy of housing to South Africa citizens is being realised; as well as determining government commitment in maintaining these houses. The methodology used for the study was both qualitative and quantitative. The quantitative research was conducted in four already established housing subsidy locations in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province of South Africa. A structured questionnaire with dichotomous, multiple choice, scaled, matrixtype and open-ended questions was used to conduct interviews and obtain data during the survey. Findings from the study revealed that the progressive strategy of housing is successful in fulfilling its vision to supply adequate housing to all its citizens. However, beneficiaries are not satisfied with the subsidized houses, because of the units’ sizes. Also, defects occurred in the houses delivered. These defects include roof leakages, cracks in walls, lack of finishing internally and externally, and defects in roof trusses. The cause of these defects was a result of poor quality control mechanisms put in place by the Department of Housing. Lastly, it was also revealed that the government has no plans in place to prevent slum conditions in the subsidized housing areas, by means of a well structured maintenance system. Based on the findings from the study, it is recommended that the Department of Housing and administrator of subsidized housing units in Gauteng should conduct a complete and thorough needs analysis of the beneficiaries of a proposed housing subsidy development, it is also recommended that government should provide as wide a choice of housing and tenure options as is reasonably possible. This can be achieved through the rental housing option. It is further recommended that the Gauteng Department of Housing should set up an independent section to carry out monitoring of subsidized houses during construction and formulate an appropriate maintenance culture that will help in encouraging beneficiaries to maintaining the subsidized house. In addition, the Department of Housing should move beyond the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing as contained in the South Africa Constitution, to the use of the housing to improve the lives of the citizens and lastly, the Gauteng Department of Housing should conduct more post-occupancy evaluations of housing subsidy beneficiaries’ experiences. By conducting more POE, the Department of Housing will be well informed of the satisfaction levels of the occupants whether the house is up to standard, if the houses have improved the lives of occupants and what actually they are doing with the houses once they are allocated to them.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Aigbavboa, Clinton Ohis
- Date: 2012-03-12
- Subjects: Low-income housing , Housing subsidies
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4525
- Description: M.Tech. , South Africa is one of the countries in the world that has delivered the highest number of houses to the poor through various delivery mechanisms. This was done to fulfill her vision of adequate housing for all, as reflected in the National Housing Policy framework. Over the last fifteen years, the African National Congress [ANC] led government has vigorously ensured that essential services were made available to advance the lives of ordinary people. Since 1994 to date, about 2 700 000 houses have been delivered, providing more than 13 million people with secure homes. One of the housing strategies, as contained in the National Housing Policy of 1994, was to provide subsidy assistance to low income groups to enable them to become home owners and improve their quality of life. The Housing Subsidy Scheme, adopted as the channel of delivery, has to date helped reduce the housing backlog and is tending to reach the goal of eradicating informal settlement by 2014. This research work is an evaluation of the post-occupancy experience of housing subsidy beneficiaries. The study evaluated satisfaction levels of subsidy beneficiaries, what beneficiaries actual do with the subsidized houses after they have been allocated to them, to ascertain if the subsidized houses have improved the beneficiaries’ lives. It also evaluates if the progressive strategy of housing to South Africa citizens is being realised; as well as determining government commitment in maintaining these houses. The methodology used for the study was both qualitative and quantitative. The quantitative research was conducted in four already established housing subsidy locations in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province of South Africa. A structured questionnaire with dichotomous, multiple choice, scaled, matrixtype and open-ended questions was used to conduct interviews and obtain data during the survey. Findings from the study revealed that the progressive strategy of housing is successful in fulfilling its vision to supply adequate housing to all its citizens. However, beneficiaries are not satisfied with the subsidized houses, because of the units’ sizes. Also, defects occurred in the houses delivered. These defects include roof leakages, cracks in walls, lack of finishing internally and externally, and defects in roof trusses. The cause of these defects was a result of poor quality control mechanisms put in place by the Department of Housing. Lastly, it was also revealed that the government has no plans in place to prevent slum conditions in the subsidized housing areas, by means of a well structured maintenance system. Based on the findings from the study, it is recommended that the Department of Housing and administrator of subsidized housing units in Gauteng should conduct a complete and thorough needs analysis of the beneficiaries of a proposed housing subsidy development, it is also recommended that government should provide as wide a choice of housing and tenure options as is reasonably possible. This can be achieved through the rental housing option. It is further recommended that the Gauteng Department of Housing should set up an independent section to carry out monitoring of subsidized houses during construction and formulate an appropriate maintenance culture that will help in encouraging beneficiaries to maintaining the subsidized house. In addition, the Department of Housing should move beyond the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing as contained in the South Africa Constitution, to the use of the housing to improve the lives of the citizens and lastly, the Gauteng Department of Housing should conduct more post-occupancy evaluations of housing subsidy beneficiaries’ experiences. By conducting more POE, the Department of Housing will be well informed of the satisfaction levels of the occupants whether the house is up to standard, if the houses have improved the lives of occupants and what actually they are doing with the houses once they are allocated to them.
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An exploration of the use of Delphi methodology in housing satisfaction studies
- Aigbavboa, Clinton, Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Authors: Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Delphi technique , Housing studies , Low-income housing
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8911
- Description: The Delphi technique has become generally accepted in the past decade by a broad range of institutions, government departments, and policy research organizations. The Delphi method was originally developed in the 50s by the RAND Corporation after a series of studies in Santa Monica, California. This approach consists of a survey conducted in two or more rounds and affords the participants in the second round with the results of the first so that they can alter the original assessments if they want to - or stick to their previous opinion. It is commonly presumed that the method makes better use of group interaction whereby the questionnaire is the medium of interaction. The Delphi method is especially useful for long-range forecasting, as expert opinions are the only source of information available. The objective of this paper is to outline how the Delphi technique process was used to predict and to understand issues encircling housing satisfaction in South Africa low-income housing. The paper objective is based on the premise that the technique has never been used to study housing satisfaction amongst the low income group in South Africa despite the numerous empirical studies that has been conducted; hence the framework. This is because the Delphi approach solicits expert’s view on subjects surrounded with confusion. The methodological approach adopted for the study was a content analysis of published peer reviewed journal articles with regards to the use of the techniques in housing studies. The Delphi technique is discussed because it is an approved and credible research technique which helps to overcome experts’ disagreement with issues.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Delphi technique , Housing studies , Low-income housing
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8911
- Description: The Delphi technique has become generally accepted in the past decade by a broad range of institutions, government departments, and policy research organizations. The Delphi method was originally developed in the 50s by the RAND Corporation after a series of studies in Santa Monica, California. This approach consists of a survey conducted in two or more rounds and affords the participants in the second round with the results of the first so that they can alter the original assessments if they want to - or stick to their previous opinion. It is commonly presumed that the method makes better use of group interaction whereby the questionnaire is the medium of interaction. The Delphi method is especially useful for long-range forecasting, as expert opinions are the only source of information available. The objective of this paper is to outline how the Delphi technique process was used to predict and to understand issues encircling housing satisfaction in South Africa low-income housing. The paper objective is based on the premise that the technique has never been used to study housing satisfaction amongst the low income group in South Africa despite the numerous empirical studies that has been conducted; hence the framework. This is because the Delphi approach solicits expert’s view on subjects surrounded with confusion. The methodological approach adopted for the study was a content analysis of published peer reviewed journal articles with regards to the use of the techniques in housing studies. The Delphi technique is discussed because it is an approved and credible research technique which helps to overcome experts’ disagreement with issues.
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An assessment of occupants’ expectation in the delivery of low-income housing in South Africa
- Aigbavboa, Clinton, Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Authors: Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Housing subsidy beneficiaries , Housing , Low-income housing
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5324 , ISSN 9781405156486 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8235
- Description: 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.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Housing subsidy beneficiaries , Housing , Low-income housing
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5324 , ISSN 9781405156486 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8235
- Description: 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.
- Full Text:
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