This piece of research forms part of a larger research project undertaken by the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII) to compile a measurement matrix of progressive realization of the socio-economic rights enshrined in the South African Constitution. Towards this outcome, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) is appointed to undertake a review of housing policy in South Africa since 1996.

This document is the outcome of the project: Improving Access to the Socio-Economic Right of Housing, which is a joint project of Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII) and the Open Society Foundation. The project has twin objectives: to pilot the use of desktop research, community based social audits and expert-level social dialogues to produce new methodology to improve people’s access to their socio-economic rights in South Africa and other countries.