Release public land and buildings for affordable housing and other development

Momentum on public land release is uneven, driven by early successes but held back by weak coordination and institutional capacity. Examples from KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town, along with strong private sector interest, reflect solid policy alignment and real demand. However, systemic delays persist due to outdated asset registers, fragmented processes and siloed operations across spheres of government. The key constraint is not policy design but ineffective coordination and administrative bottlenecks. Unlocking further progress will depend on scaling proven municipal models, improving data systems and establishing practical, capacity-sensitive mechanisms for intergovernmental collaboration.

September 15, 2025

Identify and release nationally-owned land and properties to housing developers for affordable housing

South Africa faces a significant housing backlog estimated at 2.4 million units, with rapid urbanisation increasing demand for affordable housing in well-located urban areas. The public sector owns substantial amounts of vacant and underused land, including properties in desirable locations that could support urban inclusion. However, the release of this land has been extremely slow…

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