Evaluating housing delivery at the Masiphumelele community

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the causes and challenges associated with the shortage of low-cost housing delivery to the Masiphumelele Community by the City of Cape Town. The study further explored the reasons why informal settlements and the degradation of housing persist in the community of Masiphumelele, a township in the Western Cape Province. A qualitative research design that supports the interpretivist and descriptive research approaches, was used to collect the data from two groups of participants: (1) focus group discussions with heads of households from the Masiphumelele Community, and (2) online individual interviews with Ward Committee members and a Ward Councillor. The study revealed that despite some progress, there are still numerous constraints to effective housing delivery to the community of Masiphumelele. Problems associated with housing delivery at the Masiphumelele Community were identified, and relevant recommendations were made on housing delivery methods followed by the City of Cape Town.