Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the housing delivery to the low income through the Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) in Gaborone, Botswana. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through the use of questionnaire, interviews, records searches and observations using the mixed-method approach to establish why people sale houses. Proportionate and simple random sampling was used to obtain a sample size of 93 plots for both new SHHA areas and old SHHA areas at 90 per cent confidence level. For each plot, data pertaining to plot allocation, plot ownership, exchange of ownership over the years were collected. Findings The findings revealed that the programme has been hit by challenges emanating from the low-income group selling their houses to middle-income group which is predominant in the area thus leading to gentrification. It was also established that the number of sales in SHHA areas were increasing as evidenced from the transfers that were taking place. This could be influenced by the increasing demand for housing due to a growing population in Gaborone. The findings also revealed that demand is one of the determinants of rising prices, thus an incentive to the low-income group to sell their houses at higher prices. Research limitations/implications The implication of these findings is that the low income will be displaced and might become homeless in future thus creating an opportunity for illegal settlements to develop. Originality/value The study has provided a context in which housing delivery to the low-income group can be safe guarded.

Purpose Student housing (SH) is very critical in the learning process of students, as it can affect their academic performance. It has been noted that tertiary institutions in Botswana are failing to provide adequate accommodation to cater the growing student population. Despite the shortage of housing, private property developers are not keen on participating in SH provision. The purpose of this study is to therefore assess the factors influencing minimum participation of property developers in SH provision in Gaborone, Botswana. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was collected from property developers in Gaborone through the use of a questionnaire. Secondary data on the other hand was collected from books, reports and journal articles. Data was analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Microsoft Excel. Findings The findings from the study revealed that the factors that affect property developers participation in SH provision are low income derived from SH, limitations in multi sectoral approach, poor site location, lack of partnerships between developers and universities, high maintenance and renovation costs and lack of policies and legislation regarding SH. The factors that highly had an impact on property developers are financial factors, followed by institutional factors, demographic factors, physical factors and, finally, human factors. A private–public partnerships model aimed at enhancing developers’ participation in SH provision was developed in the study. Research limitations/implications The small sample size used has had a negative impact on the results, as no factors were identified as limiting property developers’ participation in SH. Originality/value This paper extends the knowledge on factors influencing property developers’ minimal participation in SH provision by coming up with a model that could enhance their participation in SH provision.

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