The role of social housing in urban regeneration : the case of Johannesburg

Abstract

This study focused on social housing in Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD) and programmes under Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO). The role of social housing in the value chain of urban regeneration was analysed in terms of economic, spatial, and social integration. Threats to the financial sustainability of Social Housing Institutions (SHIs) were outlined and financial management strategies evaluated. The dilemma between social and business interests was scrutinised to establish what could be common ground be-tween stakeholders. Data was collected through document analysis, semi-structured question-naires, and interviews. The findings were grouped into themes and presented through a dis-cussion, graphs, and figures. The study revealed that the intertwined goals of urban regenera-tion and social housing have ensured that low-income earners are included in Johannesburg CBD, but there is still much to be done to improve acquisition of bad buildings, stakeholder relations and financial sustainability of SHIs.