South African report blames lack of affordable housing

South African authorities identified “extreme poverty and a severe lack of affordable housing” as key factors in the deadly Usindiso building fire in Johannesburg in August 2023, which killed 77 people. A commission of inquiry found widespread fire-safety concerns in inner-city buildings and recommended urgent action to address long-standing housing issues, emphasizing the need for political will and resources to improve living conditions for the urban poor.

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