GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
14 February 2024
The White Paper for Human Settlements presented to Parliament’s Human Settlements Portfolio Committee today undermines the rights of South Africans to adequate housing.
Drafted in the context of current fiscal constraints, the White Paper seeks to restructure the current housing programme – not to enhance it, as urgently required, but to reduce the state’s Constitutional responsibility to deliver adequate housing.
The State has built an estimated five million fully subsidised homes over the past 30 years, given them away free to qualifying individuals and families. Approximately two million more homes are required.
But, using language that appears borrowed from the DA playbook, the drafters of the White Paper dismiss the current approach to housing as part of a “welfarist policy approach”.
The ruling party needs to do its homework as it appears to be confusing acts of charity with citizens’ constitutional rights.
Progressively giving life to the rights in the Constitution is not charitable; it is government’s duty.
Section 26 of the Constitution guarantees the right of all South Africans to adequate housing, not access to land on which to build (or not build) their own house, as the White Paper proposes.
Access to decent housing is about more than shelter. It is also about safety, dignity and security of tenure.
The White Paper falls lamentably short of providing sustainable solutions for the provision of dignified housing to people presently living in informal settlements.
It focuses excessively on “unlawful occupations” instead of how the state can plan, and prepare for, continuing urbanisation.
It sets South Africa up for a major policy shift without adequate public engagement.
Instead of using the shoddy state of the economy under its management as an excuse to further marginalise people who are already among the most excluded and marginalised in the country, the State must take ownership of its fiscal responsibilities and implement policies and practises to fix the economy.
An overhaul of our housing programme should have as its aim the establishment of a society in which those who need the state’s support can access dignified homes.
Given that nearly half of South Africa’s population presently subsists on government grants, many people can afford to pay very little, if anything. Because they are poor, and the economy can’t provide jobs, the White Paper seems to suggest they should live outdoors.
The White Paper was published for comments on 18 December 2023, in the middle of the festive season. The closing date for comments has been extended until 28 February 2024. This is insufficient.
Today I accepted a memorandum, with a petition, from Amatyotyombe Activists Forum calling for an extension of time for public comment together, and increased public engagement.
We support the call for more pubic engagement. The current housing legislation and approach was the outcome of extensive dialogue and engagement. The proposal to change the legislation, in the middle of a housing crisis, demands the same level of public consultation – more especially with those who are directly affected by the proposed changes.
The petition will be submitted to the Speaker in terms of the Rules of Parliament and the Memorandum will be submitted to the Minister of Human Settlements as she invited us to do.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 082 518 3264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za