Social housing - register on the City Housing Needs Register
28 August 2023
To qualify and apply for social rental housing opportunities in the city, applicants need to be registered on the City’s Housing Needs Register and earn below R22 000 household income per month. Social housing is a government subsidised rental housing option. It’s owned and managed by accredited social housing institutions (SHIs). Prospective tenants should be willing to pay monthly rental as this is a key factor to enable the successful management and operation of social housing.
Social housing opportunities provide families with affordable housing on well-located, accessible land, close to urban areas.
How does one qualify for social rental housing?
You qualify for this subsidised programme if:
1) You are registered on the City's housing needs register
2) You are over 18
3) You are a South African citizen or have permanent residency
4) You're legally competent to sign a contract and
5) Your gross monthly household income is below R22 000
'Great progress has been made this year with five inner city land parcels, which bring to a total of 1 300 social housing opportunities, reaching critical land release milestones as a part of Mayor's Priority Land Release Programme. Overall, the City has 6 500 social housing units in the planning pipeline across numerous land parcels in the City.
'The City is determined to assist residents with affordable housing opportunities in urban centres as this plays a critical role in ensuring economic inclusion for Cape Town's working citizens. Over the years, nine Social housing developments have been built across the metro creating more than 3 500 social housing opportunities. The recently completed Maitland Mews development is contributing 204 units to these housing opportunities.
'I therefore encourage qualifying households to register on the City's Housing Needs Register and to apply for social housing opportunities. We ask applicants to pay special attention to the qualifying criteria listed on the City and Western Cape Government websites, and to make contact with the Social Housing Institution about any of their particular qualifying requirements,' said the Acting Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Alderman James Vos.
City's Housing Needs Register – register and keep your contact information updated
Residents must remember that they do not need to pay the City or any other person to be placed on the Housing Needs Register. The City will never ask residents to pay for a government subsidised housing opportunity or to be placed on the Register.
The City's Housing Needs Register, which is protected, updated and audited, is necessary to prevent queue jumping and to provide opportunities in a fair, ordered manner. This is important given the acute need for housing opportunities across the metro.
Residents are encouraged to visit this link to update their details on the Housing Needs Register: https://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/HWL2012Online/
Facts about social housing:
· It is managed by accredited social housing institutions (SHIs).
· SHIs are solely dependent on rental income. They receive no operational grants. They are able to service the developments debt finance through rental income.
· As with any rental contract, tenants formally enter into lease agreements. The landlord is the SHI.
· If tenants do not adhere to their lease agreements, the responsible SHI will follow the necessary legal process. Tenants must therefore pay to stay as the rental money is used for the day-to-day operation and upkeep of the complex.
· The City has nothing to do with the day-to-day management of SHIs, the rental amount or evictions for not paying.
· Before potential beneficiaries can apply for social housing, they are required to register on the City's Housing Needs Register.
· Projects are developed on well-located, accessible land in and near urban centres.
· It is not low-income subsidised government housing, such as Breaking New Ground (or the commonly called RDP housing and it is not City Council Rental Units).
· It is managed with 24-hour security and access control.
· The City may sell City-owned land at a discounted price for social housing developments to make projects financially feasible.
· Social housing offers improved access to social facilities and other amenities.
· Social housing adds value to vacant pieces of land.
· Social housing has the potential to improve property values in an area and drive urban regeneration
For more information and to apply:
https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/City-housing-and-properties/Housing-opportunities/Apply-for-social-housing
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
