The CRU Programme replaces the National Hostel Redevelopment Programme and the proposed Affordable Rental Housing Programme.
There are approximately 2 000 public hostels. There are also 200 000 residential units owned by provinces and municipalities. The programme provides a coherent framework for dealing with the many different forms of existing public-sector residential accommodation.
The CRU Programme aims to facilitate the provision of secure, stable rental tenure for lower-income individuals. The programme targets low-income individuals and households earning between R800 and R3 500 a month, who are unable to enter the formal private rental and social housing market.
The CRU Programme covers:
- public hostels owned by provincial housing departments and municipalities
- “grey” hostels that have both private and public ownership
- public housing stock that cannot be transferred and has to be managed as rental accommodation
- post-1994 newly developed public residential accommodation owned by provincial housing departments and municipalities
- dilapidated, derelict and dysfunctional buildings.
