Residential immobility — the case of tenants in ‘outhouses’

Abstract

The shortage of housing, particularly among low income groups, is one of the most crucial problems associated with the rapid rate of urbanization in South Africa. The sharing of available housing and flats among families, and the use of ‘outhouses’ and garages for accommodation are symptoms of the housing shortage experienced by the Indian community in Durban. Generally residential mobility plays a significant role in meeting the housing needs of families. In his paper the author examines the factors influencing residential location in ‘outhouses’. The results obtained in this study suggest that it is almost impossible for a large proportion of tenants to move out of a situation of extremely limited housing choice either because of income constraints or scarcity in the supply of low cost housing in proximity to workplace. Residential mobility patterns of tenants living in ‘outhouses’ do not conform to western theories and models because of the peculiar institutional and social forces in South Africa. Confronted by forces which lead to compulsory residential immobility, the tenants in ‘outhouses’ may be referred to as ‘frustrated movers’.