Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Affordable Housing Construction in South Africa

Abstract

Housing is a basic human need and is a key factor in the sustainable development of a nation. Worldwide, demand for affordable housing has grown in recent decades and it is expected to continue to grow due to the problem of rural-urban migration which is affecting both developed and developing nations.With the growing demand for affordable housing, the need for a sustainable solution in the construction of housing cannot be over-emphasized. Previous research has shown that the affordability of urban housing in South Africa is usually measured using a housing cost to income ratio, which is an unsustainable way housing construction, towards building homes that are cost-effective to the occupants over the building life-cycle. This research intends to bridge the gap in the literature by providing an effective strategy by which housing can be made affordable and sustainable, through efficient management of construction resources to enhance sustainability in affordable housings constructed for the poor population in South Africa. This strategy could be applied to analyse housing situation of the poor in developing economies