Rising Costs, Stagnant Incomes in Johannesburg: Understanding Affordability Mismatch in Low-Income Households

Access to affordable housing remains a critical challenge in Johannesburg, where low-income households struggle to meet rising housing costs. This affordability contradiction has resulted in increased housing insecurity, overcrowding, informal settlements, and poor living conditions. While national policy emphasises affordability and inclusion, limited empirical evidence exists on how these cost burdens are experienced at the household level. This study addresses this gap by examining the lived realities of affordability strain in low-income communities in Johannesburg, focusing on the social, spatial, and financial dimensions of housing-related stress. Using empirical data drawn from household interviews and field-based observations, the study explores how residents navigate rising costs such as rent, municipal service charges, transport expenses, and informal expenditures. The qualitative data were thematically analysed to reveal patterns in coping mechanisms and household strategies. Findings indicate a growing mismatch between household incomes and the cost of maintaining basic living standards. Participants reported reliance on shared accommodation, informal backyards or temporary structures, inconsistent service payments, and unsafe or illegal service connections. While these practices support short-term survival, they expose households to heightened risks, with spatial location further shaping affordability pressures on households on the urban periphery as they face compounded burdens. Based on these findings, the paper proposes a framework to guide future research and policy interventions, offering socially responsive approaches to addressing affordability challenges and supporting more responsive housing outcomes.