International Budget Partnership Trailblazers Profile of Crystal West
Each month, we shine a spotlight on partners who are using budget advocacy to bring transformational change to their communities. This month, we’re highlighting Crystal West, program manager at South Africa’s Development Action Group (DAG) and head of Asivikelane’s Western Cape project. Read More..
Backyard Housing Safety: How to Protect Your Home From Floods and Fires
Enabling Grassroots Solutions to the Urban Housing Problem
By Ivan Turok, Chuma Giyose, Claudia Hitzeroth, Zama Mgwatyu and Andreas Scheba The tragic loss of 78 lives when fire engulfed a downtown Johannesburg building illustrates the challenge of housing a bulging urban population in safe, dignified conditions. While the apartheid government resisted urbanisation and refused to build liveable neighbourhoods for black people, the ANC government and metropolitan authorities have been […]
Mayco greenlights subsidies for micro-developers in low-income areas
The City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee today adopted the creation of a Development Charges Fund to support micro-developers building affordable housing in lower income communities. The fund will subsidise development charges for small-scale rental unit developments to stimulate the affordable housing market and attract investment in targeted areas. Following Mayco approval, the item will […]
GroundUp Op-Ed: How To Respond To Cape Town’s Surge In Land Occupations
•By Adi Kumar• Cape Town has its hands full with land occupations. Fiery commentary from the national Minister of Human Settlements, Mayco Member for Human Settlements and Mayor emphasises the need to protect public and private land. All state that lawlessness is not to be tolerated. The spheres of government have also systematically blamed each other […]
Relief Aid: Electronic Food Voucher Initiative For Vulnerable Communities
Mattie Stepanek once said that “Unity is strength. . . when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.“– this is very true and very encouraging to see how building relationships and partnerships between civil society organisations and the private sector can improve the quality of life and food security in the communities. […]
New Beginnings, New Life For The Affordable Rental Market In Township Areas
On the 1st of September, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment announced new measures to enable property owners in less formal township establishment across Cape Town to develop small scale rental accommodation. This life-altering news marked a significant shift in housing delivery and in highlighting the role that the government can play […]
Western Cape Government: Draft Inclusionary Housing Policy Framework-Have Your Say!
A move in the right direction! The Provincial Government has released a Draft Inclusionary Housing Policy Framework for public commenting. If you would like to #HaveYourSay and be a part of the public participation process, click on the links below to read the draft policy, register for Monday’s meeting and to find directions on how […]
Unpacking The Western Cape Government Draft Inclusionary Housing Policy Framework
DAG HAS UNPACKED THE CONTENT OF THE WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT DRAFT INCLUSIONARYHOUSING POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR YOU! The Western Cape draft inclusionary housing policy framework was released for public comment on 14 May 2021 and it lays out important definitions and concepts. It also outlines how municipalities should go about developing municipal inclusionary housing policies. Check out the story board below, which […]
Transitional Housing Learning Tour
“People need permanency to fix their lives…housing and social development only work when we work together. You can’t do one without the other!” Given the recent announcements and focus on the homelessness, DAG sees transitional housing facilities linked to social development processes as a potential long-term solution (read DAG statement). On Tuesday, 08 June, DAG hosted […]