Mncayi, N.P.Dunga, S.H.Shuping, Kabelo Nicholus2021-09-032021-09-032021https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2589-5085http://hdl.handle.net/10394/37268MCom (Economics), North-West University, Vanderbijlpark Campus, 2021Understanding the multidimensional and complex nature of housing insecurity is critical in understanding the rigorous economic realities of many households. Specifically, this dissertation attempted to analyse the significance of the determinants that hold relevance in explaining the nature of housing insecurity at a household level in South Africa. The interest behind the study stemmed from a lack of literature within the Global South in explaining the housing insecurity phenomenon. Thus, through the formulation of various theoretical and empirical objectives, the study attempted to add to the existing knowledge gap by critically examining factors that may determine housing insecurity at a household level. The theoretical objectives formulated in the study were as follows: to conceptualise housing insecurity; to review the theories surrounding housing insecurity; to review the empirical literature on housing insecurity; to review the literature on the nature and fundamental causes of housing insecurity; to review the literature on the socio-economic determinants of housing insecurity in both developing and developed countries; and to analyse overbearing issues pertaining to housing security in South Africa. The theoretical objectives were addressed on the basis of appraising the theoretical underpinnings surrounding housing insecurity on to conceptualise housing insecurity on a regional and global scale. In Chapter 2, the study conceptualised the nature of housing insecurity as homelessness, quality of housing, overcrowding, forced evictions and lastly housing cost burdens. The study also reviewed theoretical aspects in an attempt to elucidate the nature of housing. Some of the theories used as a guidance were neoclassical theory and the Institutional theories. These theories have pointed out that the lack housing stems from the lack of economic resources while institutions are the reasons households are deprived of economic resources to access adequate housing and lead better livelihoods. Moreover, in Chapter 3, the study presented that the definition of housing insecurity shows a discrepancy across the globe, owing to cultural dynamics, institutions and economic characteristics. For instance, housing in Global South may constitute a different economic reality compared to the Global North. The empirical objectives of the study were stipulated as follows: to adopt and adapt a composite suitable measure of housing insecurity at household level for South Africa; to identify the level of housing insecurity in South Africa, to identify the vulnerability of households towards housing insecurity, to assess the contemporary determinants of household housing insecurity in South Africa, to provide relevant recommendations for South Africa to evaluate the contemporary housing policies. These objectives were answered with the data collected from Statistics South Africa of 20 908 households through the General Household Survey conducted in 2018. The study followed the post-positive paradigm, which necessitated the use of quantitative research methods. Specifically, the study adopted a multinomial logistic regression to rigorously answer the empirical objectives while also employing various descriptive statistics such as cross tabulations. The results on the demographics indicated that a greater proportion (57.1%) of the households were male-headed compared to female-headed (42.9%). While also demonstrating that the majority of the household heads were those aged between 30-45 years with 34.9 per cent. Moreover, 83 per cent of the households were headed by Black/African population group as compared to Asian/Indian (1.9%), Coloured (7.9%) and White (7.2%) and most (59%) of the households had a household size of 1 to 3 people while those with a household size of 8 or more comprises a mere 5.8 per cent. Correspondingly, the economic characteristics demonstrated that approximately 77 per cent of the population study were employed, however, males had a greater share (73.3%) of unemployment as compared to females (26.7%). Equally important, in terms of household home ownership status, 58.4 per cent of the households had an ownership status of full ownership with no remaining bond payments commitments that should be paid to the bank compared to rented (20.2%), owned and not fully paid (1.5%), occupied rent-free (13.6%) and otherwise (6.3%). In empirically analysing the determinants of housing insecurity at household level, the study formulated a Housing Insecurity Index (HII) as a composite measure that included a continuum of housing secure; mildly housing insecure; moderately housing insecure; and severely housing insecure. The regression results were presented in three levels of analysis. At all three levels, it was demonstrated that household income is a significant predictor of a household housing insecurity status. Moreover, it was revealed that employment, household home ownership status, the age of the household head, household size, population group and gender of the household head are all the significant determinants of a household housing insecurity status. It was a worrying concern to discover that Black/African-headed households were the most vulnerable population group against the economic reality of housing insecurity. The study has attempted to broaden the understanding of housing insecurity at household level by contributing to the methodological aspects surrounding housing insecurity. In fact, the study formulated a composite measure in which it can be employed in the future research studies, while also broadening the understanding of housing insecurity through the theoretical and empirical findings. Moreover, the study proposed research questions that should be explored in the future research studies to substantiate the recent findings of this study. In order to control the harsh economic reality of housing insecurity at household level, the study provides policy recommendations that the central government or policymakers may adopt to have a clear understanding of the multidimensional nature of housing insecurity and how it can be addressed. There is a need for a composite measure that will include all characteristics of housing insecurity at household level. Furthermore, the lack of developmental land leads to overcrowded and unsafe neighbourhoods, as such, the study proposes that the central government facilitate the growth of developmental housing scales in proximity to economic hubs in order accommodate the previously disadvantaged. Based on the finding that the study showed that employment levels were low amongst male-headed household compared to female-headed households, there is therefore a need for the formulation of initiatives that will increase employment levels and discourage gender disparities in economic participation. This may assist in escaping possibilities of experiencing housing insecurity.enHousing insecurityHousing insecurity indexPovertyHousingSouth African householdsThesis