An appraisal of housing satisfaction in South Africa low income housing scheme

Abstract: Post-occupancy evaluation techniques have been developed to provide a means for evaluating occupant responses to changes in an environment and linking this response to physical measures of that environment. POE has been used to evaluate the performance of buildings after they have been built and occupied for some time. This paper presents findings on the social and physical factors which influence residential satisfaction in four different government Housing Subsidy locations in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Data obtained from the occupant survey were analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics. Findings arising from the survey revealed that the respondents were satisfied with their overall housing situation, but had complaints about certain aspects of the housing unit. However, the respondents informed that most of their housing needs were not being met. Also, a comparison is also made of the perceived factors of dissatisfaction amongst the housing subsidy occupants. It is recommended that a wider systematic coverage of the subject through investigation and diagnostic POE and occupants’ need assessment should be carried out in housing subsidy schemes in South Africa

Residents’ perception of subsidised low-income housing in South Africa : a case study of Kliptown, Johannesburg

This paper presents findings on the perception of low-income housing occupants on the quality of houses that have been built through the South Africa National Housing Subsidy Scheme Programme in Kliptown, Johannesburg, South Africa. The study also looks at the expectations of the occupants of the RDP houses prior to when the houses were allocated to them; if they were met by the houses provided. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted in Kliptown, Soweto in Johannesburg to determine the objective of the study. The respondents involved in the data gathering were only housing subsidy beneficiaries. The survey results revealed that the expectations of the occupants in terms of their housing needs were not met. Further findings also revealed that most of the houses had defects, the extents of which mere repairs by the occupants cannot handle. Also, the occupants indicated that the houses were not of good quality. Housing subsidy occupants’ perception has not been widely explored even though it is generally accepted that the quality of the South Africa subsidised houses is of low quality. Post- occupancy evaluation and prior and post-consultation with the occupants is as important as the houses being delivered. The paper contributes to this body of knowledge

Homeownership and effectiveness of the South Africa government housing subsidy scheme

This paper presents findings on the effectiveness of the South Africa government housing subsidy scheme in the delivery of houses to its citizens, thus providing homeownership especially to the low-income group and the disadvantaged poor. The paper also evaluates the usage of the houses by the occupants. The results from the post-occupancy survey of the provided houses revealed that the progressive realization of housing for the low-income and disadvantaged groups is being met as all beneficiaries were South African citizens. The survey also revealed that the beneficiaries living in the subsidized houses were originally allocated the houses by the Gauteng Department of Housing (GDOH), which oversees housing allocation in the province adopted as the site for the study. However, from those originally allocated, it was indicated that some of the beneficiaries were previously living in shacks, while some were homeless (absolute homelessness). Further findings from the survey showed that the original intended use of the houses by the government (private residential use) is what the subsidized houses are being used for as revealed by the respondents. This paper starts with an overview of the literature on this topic and the importance of homeownership, and then presents the results of the analysis and findings of the research. Finally, the paper draws some conclusions and makes recommendations. The originality of this paper is based on the fact that there have been issues surrounding the South Africa government's financial commitment of 5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is grossly inadequate to overcome its huge housing backlog. Due to the limited study to substantiate if the little devoted GDP is making any impact on the disadvantaged group, the current research contributes to this body of knowledge

Application of modified statistical triangle of accident causation in construction health and safety

The purpose of the paper is to investigate safety hazard identification in the con-struction industry towards the improvement of employee’s health and safety (H&S). Unidentified hazards in the construction industry are likely to present the most unavoidable risks. Therefore, hazard identification is paramount to con-struction safety management since risk assessment is the practical means by which hazardous events are managed. The study is mainly literature review with reference to existing theoretical literature, published and unpublished research. The paper presents an overview of hazards and accident causation. The findings from the study have shown that falls at construction sites are the leading cause of death and most of these deaths were attributed to falls from roofs, scaffolds, and ladders. Construction accidents lead to delay in project completion, increase the expenses and ruin the reputation and reliability of constructors. The following were identified as some of the barriers to H&S improvement: lack of information sharing across projects, full-time safety department, subjective nature of hazard identification and risk assessment. The study explores safety hazard identifica-tion in the construction industry towards the improvement of employee’s H&S. The study presents a strong background on hazard identification in the construc-tion safety management

Theoretical exploration of construction site management practices

The construction industry is vital to the existence of other industrial sector and provides the environment under which other sectors operate. It is the largest industry and contributes about 10% of the gross national product (GNP) in industrial-ized countries. It also plays a major role in development and reaching the goals of society. The current study aims to establish the factors required in the manage-ment of good site management on construction sites in Swaziland. The study is conducted with reference to existing theoretical literature, published and un-published research. The study is mainly a literature review/survey on site man-agement practices on construction sites. Findings emanating from the study reveal that realistic studies have identified a number of problems on site management practices such as management and administration problems, technical problems and communication problems. It also indicates that site management involves a mixture of activities which turn basic sources to a finished product. The study presents a strong background on site management practices on construction sites in the Swaziland construction industry

Built-operate-transfer (BOT) model for public universities in Ghana for accelerating infrastructural development

Abstract: At independence, many countries look to reform education to accelerate economic and social development. Ghana is no exception, and after independence government saw in education the keys to social and economic development. Quality and availability of school infrastructure is one of the numerous problems confronting Ghana's education delivery. The purpose of this research is to find out infrastructure delivered by the private sector in our state Universities. The main objectives of this study were to assess the effectiveness of public private partnership in infrastructure development at the state public universities in Ghana, and also find out the number of infrastructure undertaken by the private sector; and to find out which of the PPP model is appropriate for the development of infrastructure in the state public universities. Data will be collected using the Delphi and field questionnaire survey. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Nvivo will be used to analyze data from the field questionnaire survey and Delphi respectively. This is a preliminary survey study on an ongoing Ph.D. study

Health risk management in the construction industry

Abstract: The building construction industry has a high incidence of occupational ill health. Statistics show that two people die every week on construction sites. Most of these deaths could have been avoided if health and safety risk is managed through legislation directly and indirectly related to construction. This paper examines risk management in the building construction industry with emphasis on occupational health issues. The study was conducted through the use of secondary data from journals, books and internet to achieve the objective of the study. The review of literature looked into details of different views from different scholars about Occupational Health issues and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management System. It further highlighted on various sections or disciplines of occupational health risk management and its benefits in the construction industry. It also outlined the process in construction risk management. The findings from literature review showed that risk assessments for health and safety risks are a statutory requirement under the management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. It was also mentioned that health and safety risk assessments are conducted in a controlled and thorough way following a set process

An exploratory factor analysis of safe acts of workers towards health and safety compliance

Abstract: Workers inability to act according to laid down rules and regulations within the industry have invariably contributed to their unsafe actions leading to accident. The purpose of the study was to determine safe acts of workers towards health and safety (H&S) compliance. Delphi survey method of data collection was adopted for the study. Experts were asked to complete the Delphi questionnaire survey based on the impact of given factors in predicting safe act of workers towards Health and Safety compliance. The ratings were based on either the impact was considered to be very high or high. Data obtained was analysed and results were presented in a table and a chart. Findings from the study show that only three measurement variables (ensure equipment or tools are in good condition before usage, ensure the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure proper positioning of tasks) were considered by the experts to have reached consensus with IQD cut- re. Further findings showed strong consensus with very high impact (VHI: 9.00-10.00).Results from the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) showed that only five indicator variables (SAW10,SAW 16,SAW7, SAW8 and SAW9) were considered as determinant of Health and Safety compliance. Further findings showed that one indicator variable (PPE) was found to be common in the Delphi survey and EFA results.The factor loadings for all items were greater than 0.5593.This findings indicate that high priority was given to SAW 10 in determining Health and Safety compliance in the construction industry

A theoretical perspective on the difference between leadership and management

Abstract: There are numerous overlaps in terms of relating the differences between leadership and management. Jarad (2012) viewed leadership as a subset of management and that both are important to facilitate organizatio0nal performance. However, the construction industry is well defined with the inclusion of both these roles. It is to this end that the study presents a theoretical framework relating to the difference between leadership and management. Design/methodology/approach: The study is conducted with reference to existing theoretical literature on leadership requirements for the construction industry. Findings: Literature findings revealed that, leadership includes social influence and the leader's role in setting a purpose or vision of change, whereas management associates with fulfilling organizational goals and processes. Originality/value: The study explores the difference leadership and management. The study further gives findings relating to management and leadership, thus adding value to the body of leadership and management knowledge

Critical barriers affecting stakeholder management in the construction industry

Abstract: Effective stakeholder management is essential in achieving stakeholder satisfaction and project success targets. This paper investigates critical barriers to stakeholder management in the construction industry of developing countries as part of a larger study aimed at developing a “Sustainable stakeholder management framework for construction projects in developing countries”. The present paper aim is necessary since construction projects have numerous stakeholders and involves several activities hence stakeholder management is vital for an enhanced project delivery. A literature review of selected articles on stakeholder management was validated using interviews of 6 project key stakeholders. The study confirmed five additional critical barriers relating to (1) project managers knowledge in stakeholder management (2) public procurement approach, (3) politicization of projects (4) project delays and (5) poor project planning and development. These findings may not be generalized due to limited research participants involved. Nonetheless, it serves as a useful basis for the larger dissertation and contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying critical barriers affecting stakeholder management in the developing nations’ construction industry for improved construction projects delivery. Considering and managing these critical barriers will ensure the achievement of project goals, stakeholder needs and satisfaction