Housing Cooperative Development in South Africa

The various types of housing co-operatives are defined in Section 2, along with the eight cooperative principles. The principles include democratic control and open membership. Section 3 is a summary of the processes and deliverables at each stage of development of a housing co-operative. Sections 4 to 8 describe the five development stages in detail with examples and references to other publications for further information. Section 9 is on the vital topic of financial management. Section 10 describes the professional advisors and institutions that can assist you in the development of a co-operative. The Annexes contain examples of the key documents in the process: co-operative statutes, development strategy, use agreements and maintenance plan. Click here to read the document.

In October 2002, the Urban Sector Network (USN), Rooftops Canada / Abri International and the Social Housing Foundation (SHF) set out the terms of reference for an evaluation of the 3 co-operative housing projects that were being undertaken by USN affiliates: Shayamoya, developed by the Built Environment Support Group (BESG); the Newtown Co-operative, developed by the Cope Housing Association; (Cope) and the Amalinda project currently being developed with the support of Afesis-Corplan. The evaluation was aimed at sharing lessons learnt from the USN’s experience in social housing, as well as to extract recommendations for future action and policy development for social housing delivery. The key purpose of the study is to look at the role NGO’s can play in supporting social housing institutions and development and the viability of these approaches and secondly, to evaluate the roles of the respective USN affiliates in the development of co-operative models and how they meet their objectives. Click here to read the document.

Over the past three years, the Social Housing Foundation (SHF) has facilitated a national co-operative housing programme supported by the South African and Norwegian governments. Through this programme, various housing projects around the country have received funds and support for capacity-building, as part of a pilot programme to investigate the types of co-operative housing projects most suitable for delivery of housing to low-income people. In all cases the co-operatives studied have improved the quality of life of their members, contributed to alleviation of poverty, and addressed social issues such as HIV/AIDS. SHF commissioned case studies of a number of pilot co-operative housing projects and has consolidated the findings in this document. Particular emphasis has been placed on identifying lessons learnt which can assist in developing appropriate models for low-income co-operative housing in the future. Click here to read the document.

This document was written by Rooptops Canada Foundation Consultant, Jim Duke.This case study provides an analysis of the development process. To read the case study click here.

In South Africa, a tremendous need still exists for adequate shelter, particularly for residents living in slums that were formed during the apartheid era. For several years, CHF International worked with three local organizations —Afesis-Corplan, the East London Savings and Credit Cooperative, and the East London Housing Management Cooperative—to make cooperative housing successful for their fellow residents. All three organizations came together under the Amalinda Program, the first cooperative housing project to be brought to the country, in East London, South Africa. CHF International assisted these organizations as they worked to meet their goals. In particular, CHF International sponsored three Visiting International Professionals (VIPs) to provide their technical expertise: Alex Miller, Rita Taylor, and Arlene Stuker. To read more click here.