WHEREAS in terms of section 26(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, everyone has the right to have access to adequate housing;

AND WHEREAS in terms of section 26(2) of the Constitution, 1996, the State must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of this right;

AND WHEREAS in terms of section 2(1)(a) of the Housing Act, 1997 (Act No. 107 of 1997), national, provincial and local spheres of government must give priority to the needs of the poor in respect of housing development;

AND WHEREAS all three spheres of government must, in terms of section 2(1)(e)(iii) of the Housing Act, 1997, promote the establishment, development and maintenance of socially and economically viable communities and of safe and healthy living conditions to ensure the elimination and prevention of slums and slum conditions;

AND WHEREAS all three spheres of government must, in terms of section 2(1)(e)(vii) of the Housing Act, 1997, promote higher density in respect of housing development to ensure the economical utilisation of land and services;

AND WHEREAS there is a need for social housing to be regulated;

AND WHEREAS there is a dire need for affordable rental housing for low to medium income households which cannot access rental housing in the open market,