Housing is a basic human need, providing not only physical shelter for human survival, but also an intimate setting for social and emotional activity and interaction. Johnston (1978) points out that the basic nature of housing should make it available to all and yet, even in "developed" countries which have high per capita incomes, many people are inadequately housed according to prevailing local standards. South Africa, which has a relatively low per capita income is, then, no exception in this regard.