Housing Act, 1997 (Act No. 107 of 1997)

WHEREAS in terms of section 26 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, everyone has the right to have access to adequate housing, and the state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of this right;

AND WHEREAS the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa recognises that—

housing, as adequate shelter, fulfils a basic human need;

housing is both a product and a process;

housing is a product of human endeavour and enterprise;

housing is a vital part of integrated developmental planning;

housing is a key sector of the national economy;

housing is vital to the socio-economic well-being of the nation;

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, as follows:-