🏘️ Everything You Need to Know About Government Housing in South Africa.
🌟 Understanding Government Housing Options
Struggling to navigate the process of getting a government house in South Africa? This guide breaks down the key housing programs, eligibility criteria, and application steps to help you exercise your rights. Be aware that housing allocation can take years, and issues like corruption in the process are frequently reported.
📋 Government Housing Programs
The South African government provides housing through the following initiatives:
- Government Subsidy Housing (BNG/RDP)
- Community Residential Units (CRU)
- Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP)
- GAP Housing & First Home Finance (previously FLISP)
- Social Housing Programme (SHP)
- Emergency Housing (not covered in detail here)
📍 How to Apply for Any Program
- Register: Visit your local municipality or provincial Department of Human Settlements.
- Online Option: Use the Housing Needs Register website: https://www.hssonline.gov.za/
- Alternative Venues: Some cities (e.g., City of Cape Town) have additional application locations.
- Cost: The application process is free of charge.
General Eligibility
- Age: Over 18
- Citizenship: South African citizen with an ID, or a foreign resident with a permanent residency permit
- Income Proof: Required for most programs (specific income brackets apply).
Check Your Application Status
- Online: Log into https://www.hssonline.gov.za/
- SMS: Send your 13-digit ID number + surname to 44108
- In-Person: Visit the housing office where you applied
- Hotline: Call 0800 146 873
Note: You’ll be listed on a Municipal Housing Demand Database or provincial Housing Needs Register. Keep your proof of registration and update your contact details if you move.
🏠 1. Government Subsidy Housing (BNG/RDP)
What It Is: Fully subsidized houses (now called Breaking New Ground or BNG, previously RDP) built by the government for low-income families. These houses are owned, not rented, and come with a title deed.
Eligibility
- South African citizen or permanent resident
- Over 18 and mentally competent to sign a contract
- Married/living with a partner, or single with dependents (single military veterans or elderly without dependents also qualify)
- Household income less than R3,500/month
- First-time government subsidy recipient and homeowner
- Preference: People with disabilities (houses adapted to needs)
Application Process
- Where: Apply via https://www.hssonline.gov.za/ or at your local housing office
- Documents Needed:
- Completed Housing Assistance Form
- Certified copies of ID (applicant and spouse/partner)
- Marriage/civil union certificate or cohabiting affidavit
- Children’s birth certificates
- Proof of foster children guardianship
- Proof of income (e.g., payslip)
- Details of special needs (e.g., medical records)
- Waiting List: You’ll be added to the National Housing Needs Register or Municipal Housing Demands Database. Allocation can take years.
Key Rules
- 🚫 No Selling: Illegal to sell within the first 8 years
- 🚫 No Renting: Renting out is prohibited
- Note: Ward councillors do not allocate houses—don’t pay them to assist! They can only guide you to the right office.
BNG vs. RDP
- BNG is the updated RDP program, aiming for better integration (mixed housing types, schools, clinics, shops).
- BNG houses are larger: two bedrooms, separate bathroom (toilet, shower, basin), combined kitchen/living area, and electricity (where available).
🏢 2. Community Residential Units (CRU)
What It Is: Subsidized rental housing for low-income households, often involving refurbished inner-city buildings or hostels.
Eligibility
- South African citizen or permanent resident
- Over 18 and mentally competent to sign a contract
- Married/living with a partner, or single with dependents (single military veterans or elderly without dependents qualify)
- Household income between R800–R3,500/month
- Registered on the Municipal Housing Demand Database/National Housing Needs Register
- Note: You can qualify even if you’ve previously benefited from a government housing program or owned property.
Application Process
- Where: Apply via https://www.hssonline.gov.za/ or at your local housing office
- Documents: Same as BNG/RDP (see above)
- Rent: The municipality charges rent to cover rates.
🚰 3. Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP)
What It Is: Provides basic services (water, sanitation, electricity, roads) to informal settlements, but not necessarily houses. You can later apply for housing through other programs.
How It Works
- Not Individual: You can’t apply as an individual.
- Municipal Role: Municipalities identify settlements for upgrades and apply for funding via the provincial MEC.
- Community Involvement: Attend planning meetings to voice your community’s needs.
- Challenge: Some municipalities prefer relocation over upgrading due to engineering difficulties in crowded settlements.
- Action: Pressure ward councillors and officials to ensure UISP funds are used for upgrades.
🏡 4. GAP Housing & First Home Finance (previously FLISP)
What It Is: For those earning too much for BNG but not enough for a standard home loan.
First Home Finance (FHF) Subsidy
- Eligibility:
- Household income: R3,501–R22,000/month
- Qualify for a bank home loan
- First-time homebuyer
- Subsidy Amount: R38,878–R169,264 (based on income—lower income = higher subsidy)
- Purpose:
- Buy an existing/new home
- Buy a serviced stand
- Build a new home (including on tribal land with Permission to Occupy)
- Application: Apply via the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC): https://www.nhfc.co.za/finance-solutions/first-home-finance/
- Documents:
- IDs of all adult household members
- Birth certificates for children
- Proof of citizenship
- Marriage certificate or affidavit (customary union)
- Divorce settlement (for custodianship)
- Court order (guardianship)
- Proof of income
- Home loan approval letter
- Sale agreement/building contract (if applicable)
🏙️ 5. Social Housing Programme (SHP)
What It Is: Subsidized rental housing developed by companies with municipal/provincial support to lower costs.
Eligibility
- Household income: R1,850–R22,000/month (varies by source)
- Couples or single with dependents
- Clean credit record
- Can qualify even if you’ve benefited from other housing programs, but you cannot currently own property
Application Process
- Where: Contact your local housing office for planned SHP projects, or apply directly to the managing institution/company.
- Community Involvement: Participate in your municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) forums to voice housing needs.
📞 Contact Details for Housing Assistance
- Housing Enquiries Hotline: 0800 146 873
- Gauteng: 011 355 4000
- Western Cape: 079 769 1207 (Please Call Me)
- Eastern Cape: 043 711 9901/2/3
- KwaZulu-Natal: 033 392 6400 or 033 336 5300
- North West: 018 388 5403
- Limpopo: 015 284 5000
- Northern Cape: 053 830 9422
- Free State: 051 405 3883
- Mpumalanga: 013 766 6087
💡 Final Tips
- Stay Informed: Check municipal/provincial websites, IDP forums, or local housing offices for new projects.
- Be Patient: Housing allocation can take years due to high demand and limited resources.
- Report Corruption: If asked for payment to speed up your application, report it to the authorities.
- Appeal Rejections: Contact your provincial MEC of Human Settlements for assistance if your application is rejected.
This guide aims to empower you with the knowledge to navigate South Africa’s government housing system. Start your application today!
