The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is launching an inquiry into whether the Western Cape Government is progressively realising residents’ constitutional right to access adequate housing, as housing challenges continue more than three decades into democracy.

The commission says more than 650 000 people are currently registered on the province’s Housing Demand Database, highlighting the scale of the housing demand in the Western Cape.

The inquiry will assess whether national, provincial and local authorities are addressing historical spatial injustices by ensuring access to well-located land, housing and essential services.

It will also examine whether existing legislative, policy and governance frameworks promote transparency, accountability and the accelerated delivery of housing.

The SAHRC has invited affected residents, communities, civil society organisations, researchers, government departments and other relevant entities to make submissions as part of the inquiry.

Written and oral submissions are being accepted, with contributions expected to address issues including housing delivery and government accountability, informal settlements and access to basic services, evictions, tenure security and protection against homelessness.

Other areas of focus include the adequacy, affordability and accessibility of housing, as well as spatial justice and historical inequalities.

The deadline for submissions is 25 November 2026.

Submissions can be emailed to wcprovincialinquiry\@sahrc.org.za, sent via WhatsApp to 072 372 7476, or delivered to the SAHRC’s offices in Long Street, Cape Town.

All submissions must carry the subject line: Inquiry into the Progressive Realisation of the Right to Have Access to Adequate Housing.