The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the extent to which the Social Housing programme is contributing to urban restructuring (integrating and revitalising neighbourhoods spatially, socially and economically) and providing affordable quality rental accommodation to the target market (and thus generating value for money), and to assess the sustainability of the delivery model. The evaluation is partly an implementation evaluation and partly an impact evaluation.

The IRDP was initiated in 2006 in response to the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements (otherwise called Breaking New Ground (BNG) of the National Department of Human Settlements.  The purpose of the IRDP is to facilitate the development of integrated human settlements in well located areas that provide convenient access to urban amenities, including places of employment. The programme also aims at creating social cohesion. The IRDP provides for the acquisition of land, servicing of stands for a variety of land uses including commercial, recreational, schools and clinics, as well as residential stands for both low, middle and high income groups. A range of different land uses and income groups are provided based on local conditions and requirements.