Western Cape tries new approach to informal settlements

This media article describes how the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements has increased its support of informal settlements. With eight organisations, it has implemented the Informal Settlements Support Programme (ISSP) in municipalities across the province. The programme accepts that informal settlements in the city are permanent and that the state does not have the funding to stop their growth by building enough houses.

The ISSP has shown an innovative approach to informal settlement upgrading with a focus on informal settlements in the Western Cape. In Cape Agulhas Municipality, enumerations of informal settlements in Bredasdorp, Struisbaai and Napier helped the municipality develop upgrading plans for each settlement and will lead to state-funded upgrading projects starting in several informal settlements.

Abstract based directly on the source.