Small-scale rental housing in Southern Africa: from neglect to nurture

In the rapidly urbanizing context of the Global South, the growth of private rented accommodation tends to take the form of small-scale rental housing (SSRH) provided by individual homeowners and micro-developers. This has played a vital role in mitigating urban housing shortages, enabling access to the city for low- and middle-income households, and bolstering local economies. Yet, this largely informal and unplanned phenomenon also creates health and safety risks for tenants, mounting pressure on public infrastructure, and shortfalls in municipal revenue collection from the economic value created. We argue that most governments and related stakeholders in Southern Africa fail to recognize the contribution of SSRH to national housing systems and solutions. We also illustrate how national housing policies, regulatory frameworks and institutions are unfit for purpose, and how they can do more harm than good. A radical shift toward an enabling approach is required. We conclude by identifying several research priorities for the future.