Reside Summit tackles SA’s housing future

• Reside Summit 2026 brings together developers, financiers, policymakers and housing leaders to address South Africa’s housing challenges.
• Topics range from student accommodation and affordable housing to senior living, legal reform and future-ready urban development.
• More than 1,500 delegates are expected at the Sandton Convention Centre on 20 - 21 May 2026.

South Africa’s housing sector is facing mounting pressure, from affordability constraints and urbanisation to ageing infrastructure, student accommodation shortages and rising demand for dignified senior living.

Next week, many of the country’s leading residential property minds, developers, financiers, policymakers and legal experts will gather at the Sandton Convention Centre for the highly anticipated Reside Summit 2026 taking place on 20 - 21 May.

With more than 1,500 delegates expected, the Summit has positioned itself as South Africa’s leading platform focused exclusively on the full residential and housing ecosystem, from student accommodation and social housing to affordable rentals, estate living and retirement developments.

The central question driving this year’s Summit is both urgent and practical: How does South Africa build housing that works for everyone and not just a select few?

Housing across every life stage

‍One of the defining themes of the 2026 Summit is the recognition that housing is no longer a single-sector conversation.

Instead, the event will explore housing as a complete life-cycle ecosystem touching every stage of life:

• Student living
• First-time buyers
• Affordable rentals
• Family housing
• Retirement and senior living
• Integrated urban communities

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Debbie Tagg, chairperson of the Summit says the housing conversation can no longer happen in silos. “Housing is not a single sector. It’s a continuum. Every conversation over these two days is about helping build a country that works for all its people,” says Tagg.

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Student Accommodation under the spotlight

‍One of the major focus areas this year will be the future of student accommodation. Peter Stainton from Eris Property Group will unpack how student housing is rapidly evolving beyond simply providing beds and buildings.

Today’s students increasingly expect:

• Technology-enabled living
• Wellness-focused environments
• Connectivity
• Safety
• Community-driven spaces

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Stainton believes the sector is entering a new era of professionalisation. “A future-proof student living environment is an invisible ecosystem where smart technology quietly removes friction and supports wellbeing,” he says.

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The discussion is particularly important as South Africa continues battling severe student accommodation shortages alongside growing pressure on NSFAS funding systems.

Senior Living moves into focus

‍Another major highlight will be the introduction of the dedicated Senior Living Lounge hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

The move signals increasing institutional focus on ageing-in-place infrastructure and retirement housing.

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Palesa Ryan says the DBSA wants to help unlock scalable residential infrastructure through strategic financing partnerships. “We want developers and investors to see us not only as a financier, but as a strategic partner capable of unlocking complex projects and crowding in capital at scale,” says Ryan.

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The senior living conversation is expected to become one of the fastest-growing residential sectors over the next decade as South Africa’s ageing population expands.

Legal risk and property protection

‍Legal and compliance risks across the residential sector will also feature strongly at the Summit.

Sanelisiwe Ngcobo will address the growing importance of legal accountability across the housing delivery value chain.

Her session will explore:

• Zoning risks
• Township establishment
• Municipal compliance
• Transfer delays
• Infrastructure approvals
• Asset protection

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Ngcobo argues that conveyancers and legal professionals can no longer operate purely as administrative processors. “Protecting wealth in property means moving beyond simple transfers and actively safeguarding the asset itself,” she says.

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A sector searching for solutions

‍The timing of the Summit comes as South Africa’s residential market undergoes major structural shifts:

• Rising semigration
• Affordability pressure
• Increased rental demand
• Infrastructure failures
• Changing lifestyle patterns
• Growing institutional interest in residential assets

At the same time, developers and investors are increasingly searching for scalable housing models capable of delivering both social impact and sustainable financial returns.

The Summit aims to bridge these conversations across both the public and private sectors.

The Bottom Line

The Reside Summit 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment for South Africa’s housing future. The conversations taking place next week extend far beyond property development alone.

They are about:

• Economic inclusion
• Urban resilience
• Housing affordability
• Infrastructure
• Long-term investment and
• Ultimately improving quality of life for millions of South Africans.

From student beds to retirement living, the Summit is expected to provide one of the most comprehensive views yet of where South African housing is heading next.

REGISTER NOW
The Reside Summit 2026 takes place on 20 - 21 May 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Developers, investors, financiers, policymakers, property professionals and housing stakeholders are encouraged to attend and be part of shaping South Africa’s residential future.

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