If South Africa is to heal itself of the long-term effects of xenophobia, it must find a way to ensure that those who are in the country legally have somewhere to live.

Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu made the comment on Thursday at a news conference at Parliament before her budget speech and debate in the National Assembly.

She reiterated the promise that she made last year regarding the housing backlog – to build 1.5 million houses and to provide housing opportunities.

When the department counted the housing backlog, it counted South Africans, said Sisulu.

“It has become obvious with the unfortunate xenophobic outbreak that there are many people who need housing of all kinds.

“And if we are to heal over the long-term, we need to find a way to ensure that those people who are here legally have a place to live – either in rented accommodation or community housing units – because there is a tendency to buy houses from our beneficiaries. We must look further than last year, and try to find a measurable way to count our backlog.”

Sisulu called on people to look after their houses, because they were assets. The value of a low-cost house built by the state is currently R160 000.

The government was also committed to eradicating hostels – a remnant of the apartheid system.

“Those who have lived in hostels for several years will qualify for state housing or a subsidy for community dwelling, depending on their specific requirements,” said Sisulu. News24