SA's 2.6-million housing backlog stalled by high land costs, budget cuts

South Africa's Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane, stated that limited availability and high costs of well-located land, along with fiscal constraints and declining grant funding, hinder the government's ability to expand alternative housing models like social and affordable rental housing. The national housing backlog of approximately 2.6 million units affects over 12 million people, with delays caused by land ownership issues, planning approvals, rezoning, and infrastructure requirements. Budget cuts, rising construction costs, and weak economic growth further restrict large-scale delivery.