The South African Government's recent pronouncements on the provision of housing are welcome signs of it moving in the direction of real and sustainable long-term solutions to the problem.

Investors are lining up for a share of sub-Saharan Africa's booming affordable housing market, with global private equity investor, International Housing Solutions' second fund attracting an impressive R1.5-billion.

Foreign investment into International Housing Solutions' second private equity fund which will create over 20 000 new homes in a major boost to affordable housing in SA .

The primary social benefit of this sector of the housing market cannot be denied but there is a bigger, indirect, benefit that affordable housing and construction provides

International Housing Solution has so far provided funding to 25 projects and about 25 000 units across all the major urban centres in South Africa

Developers, heeding the demand by families and young professionals for affordable homes to rent, have just released hundreds of newly built double story apartments in Soweto to rent for R3200 a month including parking.

Small rental apartments for up to R2400 a month are being snapped up like hotcakes, but larger family units with two bedrooms or more at rentals from R3500 are testing affordability levels.

The huge demand for housing in South Africa in the low to moderate income level, combined with declining rates and relative political and economic stability, continues to drive investment in the affordable end of the market.

International Housing Solutions (IHS), which launched a Southern Africa Workforce Housing Fund with R1,3-billion in overseas capital, has received R210-million additional investment from the Development Bank of SA