| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact that the institutional subsidy, a programme of the National Department of Housing, had on the efforts to regenerate the inner city of Johannesburg, in addition to determine whether it pioneered the affordable rental tenure option in the inner cities.
The problem that led to the investigation was that there is rapid urbanization and the impact of migration of people from all walks of life into the inner cities has led to overcrowding and shortage of housing especially for the lower income groups. Johannesburg being the economic powerhouse of Africa is one of the cities that are most definitely affected judging by the number of inner city resident's figures that increase each year. There is a need to determine how the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council is coping with the problem. Johannesburg is also a host city for the 2010 world Cup, therefore, a number of economic opportunities arise in this regard. The comprehensive regeneration strategies aimed at reshaping the city and in turn raising investment prospects for the city will be undermined if the regeneration is carried out without paying attention to the increasing problem of overcrowding and homelessness in the inner city.
The researcher used a quantitative research method for this study as it was deemed suitable for this type of research. More specifically, a survey method was chosen where a questionnaire had been designed to illicit the particular information from respondents. Scaled response questions, in particular Likert-type scale questions (Struwig & Stead, 94:2004) and dichotomous questions were chosen for the purposes of this particular study. A survey was conducted among inner city residents staying in one of the housing institutions that had participated in the Government housing subsidy scheme. The questionnaire was distributed among 60 respondents and the response rate was 50%. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and some inferences made.
The study acknowledges tremendous effort on the Johannesburg council's part to upgrade and regenerate the city from urban decay.
Much effort has also been done to alleviate the housing problem within the city but the influx of people from all over, including the African states, will always create overcrowded conditions. Slum lords will continue with their operations unabated. Especially since it has proven difficult to evict illegal tenants due to legislation that requires that alternative accommodation is provided for the incumbents in order to successfully evict. Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and unlawful occupation of land Act, No. 19 of 1998. (PIE Act).
The findings were investigated in the light of objectives set out and some recommendations regarding how to resolve the overcrowding problem were made. | |
