Quality management of RDP housing construction: myth or reality?

Abstract

Purpose South Africa has a large social housing scheme to provide primary housing for less privileged citizens who obtain an average monthly income of less than R 3,500.00. The government seeks to promote an integrated society by developing sustainable human settlements and quality housing within a subsidy system for different income groups. This study aims to examine whether quality management is applied to the reconstruction and development programme (RDP) housing programme during construction. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative survey approach was selected for this study. This involved using a close-ended questionnaire to collect data amongst 1,893 households who are currently residing in government housing units in the city of Bloemfontein, in the Free State province. The questionnaires were self-administered amongst randomly selected respondents based on their availability at the time of the visit to the above area. However, only the occupants of a household were included in the study. The data gathered were analysed by making use of R-programming software. Findings The findings revealed that a low level of quality is evident in the already constructed RDP housing units. Most of the inspected units were built with low-quality building materials or were not well-constructed, with derelict structural frames and finishes being evident in most houses. Respondents also indicated that they were not satisfied with the quality of some aspects of the units, such as the plaster and paint finishes, door frames built into walls and uneven floors and floor finishes. These complaints indicate that little to no quality management was applied at the time of construction or even afterwards during the latent defects period. Research limitations/implications The survey was limited to responses amongst randomly selected government RDP housing occupants in seven communities in Bloemfontein’s periphery, in the Free State Province of South Africa. Practical implications The empirical results from the findings indicate that the South African Government should ensure that quality management is applied during the housing units’ construction. This may mean that a new strategy for verifying the units’ quality will need to be developed, considering the respondents’ concerns by improving the quality of the construction materials and methods used to erect these units. The government should also consider improving contractors’ tender selection criteria to ensure higher quality construction methods, materials and management. Originality/value The study has identified quality challenges in constructing the social housing and stated recommendations that will address the identified issues if implemented by the programme implementers. This will help achieve the programme's objective, which is to improve the living conditions of previously disadvantaged individuals through social housing scheme.

Quality management framework for government social housing construction in South Africa

“…(2020a, b) identified poor climate conditions, inability to control noise, inadequate bedrooms sizes, kitchen, lounge area, toilet and bath, and the number of rooms, thus dissatisfied the beneficiaries. Again, Amoah et al. (2021, 2022) suggest that although the government was able to meet some expectations of the housing beneficiaries, there are other areas where their expectations still need to be met.…”

“…A study of the literature on housing provision in South Africa indicates that many scholars have concentrated on the challenges and the beneficiaries' satisfaction (Amoah et al ., 2020a, b, 2021, 2022; Aigbavboa and Wellington, 2012; Moolla et al. , 2011; Jiboye, 2012), effects of homeownership on individuals (Diaz-Serranco, 2009), without coming out with framework to resolve quality management policies to curtail the identified problems.…”

“…According to the Republic of South Africa (2014), people are increasingly moving to the primary cities; thus, the best approach to managing resources is to tackle these issues judiciously. Studies indicate that the expectations of social housing beneficiaries in South Africa have not been met (Amoah et al. , 2021, 2022); at the same time, they are not satisfied with the quality of the houses allocated to them (Amoah et al.…”

“…Studies indicate that the expectations of social housing beneficiaries in South Africa have not been met (Amoah et al. , 2021, 2022); at the same time, they are not satisfied with the quality of the houses allocated to them (Amoah et al. , 2021, 2022; Aigbavboa and Wellington, 2012).…”

Sustainability of the government policy on social housing construction in South Africa: the emerging issues

“…South Africa began constructing free affordable housing for less privileged citizens due to apartheid policies after the ANC took power in 1994. Many studies on the social housing programme have focused on issues relating to quality [4], beneficiaries' satisfaction [5] [6] and project management challenges [7]. Thus studies concentrating on the sustainability of government social housing policy in South Africa 1176 (2023) 012039 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1176/1/012039 2 are scarce in the literature.…”