Sisulu to end free housing?

Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has said that she may consider ending free government housing after the 2.3 million unit housing backlog is dealt with.

"It never was the intention of this government to give free homes ad infinitum," Sisulu said in an interview with the Cape Argus.

She said a culture of entitlement is growing.

"What makes an 18-year-old think the State owes them a house? ...We can't continue with a dependency culture."

"When the government introduced free housing, it was to correct the wrongs of the past affecting the majority of South Africans through dispossession and forced removals," she said.

But she said that now, 20 years after democracy, questions needed to be asked.

Sisulu said that once the housing backlog is eradicated, the department might look into the "closing-off of free houses".

However if free housing was ended, housing subsidies would continue to prevent vulnerable people having no access to adequate shelter.

Her department aims to provide 1.5 million housing opportunities over the next five years, which includes one million free government houses, 50 mega-projects of at least 10 000 units, as well as site and service spots.