It is illegal to evict someone during the coronavirus lockdown. But what happens once lockdown is lifted and the many South Africans who have lost their jobs struggle to keep up with rent?
It is very possible that we will see evictions en masse and an increase in homelessness.
Housing has always been a challenge for local municipalities as the demand almost always outstrips the supply.
If we are to stem the tide of homeless, municipalities will have to start thinking out of the box when it comes to housing.
Internationally, the tiny home and small home movements has gained traction as rental prices across the globe skyrocketed. Tiny homes (about 25 m²) are usually built on trailers, while small homes can be built from alternative materials such as shipping containers or traditional mud building techniques.
These alternative homes are cost effective, but are mostly a nightmare to get through municipal building codes.
Municipalities should act now to allow for people to live permanently in mobile structures and build with alternative material. Not only will it increase rental opportunities, it will help house many people in the months to come.
Municipalities should also take serious steps to implement their densification policies. Why not develop pre-approved small home plans for current home owners? This will enable many people to build a cost affective second dwelling on their property without the municipal approval costs. The municipalities also gain revenue of increased property rates. Instead of waiting for this problem to develop, municipalities should act now to help house our residents.
