Despite the South African government's significant contribution to and success in ensuring sufficient housing for the achievement of sustainable development goal 11, more work remains to be done to address the housing industry's current challenges. The low-income housing market faces a variety of problems, including the delivery of non-conforming housing. These problems are critical because the ripple effect is noticeable, both socially and economically. This study investigates the lack of compliance to the National Building Regulations (NBR) by building contractors, and suggests a way to evolve a strategy to promote compliance so as to achieve the delivery of low-income housing of the required quality. Drawing from a review of literature, coupled with a qualitative investigative approach, primary data was solicited from building contractors and government agencies with experience in the low-income housing sector.