Joe Slovo Park Backyard Study

This Executive Summary Report (PDF, 4.94 MB) addresses Cape Town's acute housing and land crisis, characterised by a significant mismatch between the high demand for housing and the limited supply of affordable formal housing. The crisis has led to an increase in informal settlements and land invasions, as traditional housing policies have failed to meet the needs of the city's poor residents. The report highlights a shift in policy, with the state moving towards an enabling role, encouraging community-driven solutions to address the housing shortfall and leveraging local ingenuity to mitigate state resource limitations.

A central theme of the report is the potential of a vibrant rental housing market to alleviate the crisis by providing affordable accommodation, increasing urban density, and improving functional efficiency. The City of Cape Town's recognition of the opportunities in backyard renting is explored, detailing commitments to provide services to backyard dwellers and support the formalisation of backyard structures. The report also discusses the rapid growth of backyard renting, especially in areas with better access to jobs and public transport, noting the economic opportunities it offers to poor homeowners despite challenges like uneven accommodation quality and public service strain.

Abstract based directly on original source.