City’s R38 million programme to drive homeownership starts soon

27 April 2023

The City is gearing up to launch its property home-ownership transfer at no cost programme which is expected to unlock a range of opportunities for qualifying beneficiaries. This will see among others City-tenants become owners of their rental units. Over the next three years, some R38 million has been set aside to drive this programme to transfer title deeds free of charge. 

'We are getting ready to launch this exciting no cost transfer project where the legal tenants of City-owned rental units, purchasers of delayed transfer units and historic service sites will be afforded the opportunity of home-ownership free of charge.

'This is yet another way that we are exploring all avenues that will position human settlement programmes as catalysts for meaningful economic growth in communities. Owning the title to one's property is an important way to unlock opportunity and it also becomes an asset for generations to come.

'This renewed focus to enable opportunity for empowerment is part of the Mayor's Priority Programme which aims to achieve approximately 22 000 no cost transfers over the next three years. We've allocated almost R38 million for this initiative.

'There are approximately 7 500 City-owned rental units, 13 000 delayed transfer units and 1 400 historical serviced sites that could be eligible for this free title deed initiative,' said the City's Acting Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Alderman James Vos.  

Categories of properties and requirements

Legal City tenants in good standing currently occupying:

• Free standing houses
• Semi-detached houses
• Terraced houses (row houses)
• Maisonettes
• Historic site and service units
• Delayed transfer units
  
  

  Through the No Cost Transfer Programme, the City will fund the attorney transfer fees and fix same at R2 500 per property irrespective of the property purchase price, on behalf of the beneficiaries. The City will also fund insurance costs for saleable rental units from the date of sale until the registration of the property.
  
   
  
  'We encourage residents to reach out so that they may become property owners. Please approach us by visiting the local housing office in your community or by contacting us via the Human Settlements Call Centre or via our WhatsApp line,' said Alderman Vos.

  

  
  
  
   
  
  Contact us:
  
  Human Settlements Directorate's Call Centre: 021 444 0333
  
  WhatsApp: 063 299 9927
  
   
  
   
  
  End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office