Access to land lies at the heart of ending poverty – without land, there can be no housing and housing is the key to stability and opportunity. By using your voice to improve access to safe and secure land, you can help Solid Ground create the foundation for better housing.
1 in 7 people on our planet live in slums- that’s around 1 billion people.
As property values in cities continue to rise, affordable land is increasingly difficult to acquire. This has led to the creation of informal settlements (slums) in many countries, worldwide.
The living conditions in these slums are far from safe and healthy. There is not sufficient living area for families, and there is little to no access to water or sanitation. The homes are not durable and generally are unsuitable for the weather conditions. These settlements also do not provide secure tenure for their residents, leaving families uncertain about their future.
Solid Ground advocates for slum upgrading. This is the process of improving upon the conditions of the slums to make them safer and more suitable for residents. It is important to recognise that this process needs the government and slum residents to work together.
Habitat South Africa is working in Langrug (an informal settlement near Cape Town), it was formed by migrant workers, seeking employment near the city. More than 12 million people in South Africa alone face this challenge.
Habitat is advocating for holistic and participatory community development- facilitating workshops, trainings and other learning opportunities to help community partners gain the tools, knowledge and skills they need to improve their community.
