New small-scale rental strategy promises to improve supply of affordable housing

A project undertaken by the Social Housing Foundation (SHF) and Urban LandMark aims to provide greater understanding of the small private dwelling rental (or small-scale rental) market within South Africa's human settlements policy framework. The official launch of the final strategy document took place on
11 February 2009 in Johannesburg.

The study involved a range of representatives from provincial government and civil society and is the most comprehensive attempt yet to engage with the small-scale rental sector in South Africa. The project incorporated the following outputs:

• Booklet outlining a proposed strategy to harness the power of small-scale private landlords in order to increase the rate and scale of delivery of affordable, acceptable rental accommodation in South Africa's existing suburbs and townships, written by David Gardner.

• Strategy for increasing supply of small-scale private dwelling rental - report by David Gardner.

• A strategic assessment of local and international literature relating to small-scale dwelling rental, undertaken by Vanessa Watson

• A report on the proliferation of low-income private rental housing supply, and the development of recommendations concerning appropriate interventions, written by Susan Carey.