The role of policy networks in self-build housing

Abstract

Abstract: In 2009 South Africa’s enhanced People’s Housing Process (ePHP) through which self-build housing would be implemented, was introduced. This article summarises the purposes and results of a research project undertaken to determine what role good policy network practices played in the attainment of ePHP policy objectives. The Clark Policy Network model served as a heuristic device in analysing the relationship between network characteristics, the Masizakhele Project as a case study and the attainment of policy outcomes in the project. The analysis revealed that project operations exhibited many of the indicators of the characteristics contained in the Clark Policy Network model, and that the operationalised policy outcomes associated thereto were fully attained. Generalisable observations developed during the analysis allowed the researcher to propose a network theory of policy implementation, that policy networks aimed at attaining developmental objectives must incorporate strategies to both attract and retain resources within the network