Volume: Volume 11(2) - 2007

Article type: Refereed article

Author/s: Chenwi, Lilian

Lilian Chenwi deals with the need for an approach to housing that takes special needs into account. Millions of people in South Africa do not have access to adequate housing, among them many individuals and households with special needs.

South Africa has been hailed for its progressive housing laws, jurisprudence and programmes. However, policies dealing with special needs housing are poorly developed and inadequate. Considering that there is a legal and socio-economic basis for providing special needs housing, the author concludes that the absence of a comprehensive and coherent policy around this issue constitutes a prima facie violation of the right to access to adequate housing. To take those with special housing needs from the doldrums of neglect, the author recommends that the national and provincial governments develop and implement appropriate, comprehensive and coherent policies addressing this need.

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