The law requires all local authorities to have an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) showing how they plan to develop land and housing in their area. The plan must cater to all the development needs in the area, including housing. If homeless people are living in the area, it is the local authority’s job to find land where they can be settled.

PROVIDING PUBLIC HOUSING

Local authorities are not given money from central government to fund housing, but they can raise their own money to provide for land and housing. There is a duty on government to provide people with rental housing in terms of the Rental Housing Act. Often they own a lot of low-income houses which many people still rent from them. The local authority is the landlord and decides who can get a house. They will give preference to families of single people when a house becomes available. (See Problem 5: Provision of land, housing and services for homeless people; See Drawing up an Integrated Development Plan)

According to the Municipal Systems Act (No 32 of 2000), every municipality has to draw up and pass a by-law on credit control and managing debts. This should include provisions for arrangements for people who are in arrears – particularly for people who are indigent (living in poverty). It should say what penalties there are for people who don’t keep up on any of their payments, including the disconnection of services or the eviction of tenants or owners.

FACILITATING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Local authorities are often in an excellent position to facilitate new housing developments or to act in partnership with developers. In rural towns they are often the only agents with the necessary experience and resources. payments of rent, rates and services payments to the local council)