GEORGE NEWS - Over the past years, there has been much confusion as to who is eligible to qualify for RDP houses and what procedures one should follow to obtain one. These confusions have led to many housing protests in the country and most recently here in Thembalethu. Idinga seeks to explain these processes and hopes to clear the confusions.

There are five types of housing projects which government provides. They are subject to the availability of funds. To apply for any of these, you have to register with your municipality or provincial Department of Human Settlements. The Western Cape Department of Human Settlements offers the following housing programmes through local municipalities:

Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) provides for the buying of land and the servicing of stands for a variety of uses like commercial, recreational, schools and clinics. It also provides for residential stands for low, middle and high income groups. It is based on a mix of land use and income group, according to the planning of the local municipality and assessment of the local needs.

Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP) seeks to upgrade the living conditions of millions of poor people by enabling individuals to own land and providing access to basic services and housing.

Institutional Programme provides grants to social housing institutions which build and manage affordable units for rent. The programme also allows that the social housing institution may sell units after four years.

Community Residential Units Programme (CRU) aims to enable low income households to have secure and stable rental housing. The programme covers many different forms of accomodation in the public sector.

Consolidation Subsidy Programme seeks to help households who have received serviced sites under the state housing scheme that was in place before 1994, to complete the houses on those sites.

Who can apply for a housing subsidy?

1. The applicant must be 18 years or older.

2. The applicant must be a permanent South African resident or have acquired permanent residency from the relevant South African authority in case of non-South African citizens.

3. The applicant may be married, single, divorced or cohabitating with proven financial dependents.

4. The combined monthly income of the household must not exceed R3 500.

5. You must have been on the municipal housing demand database for a minimum period of 10 years. (Proof of registration required.)

6. Priority will be given to applicants over the age of 40 years or with special needs.

What documents will I need to apply?

1. Proof of registration on the municipal housing demand database (waiting list)

2. A certified copy of you and your partne's official South African ID book or card.

3. The certified birth certificates of people who rely on your income (such as children or grandchildren). See 'Applying for a Birth Certificate' if you have lost their birth certificates.

4. Note: You will be asked to provide the ID numbers of your financial dependents or a certified copy of your Permanent Residency Permit if you are not a South African citizen, plus those of your partner or spouse and dependents.

5. A certified copy of your marriage certificate, if you are married.

6. A certified copy of your divorce decree, if you are divorced and have financial dependents.

7. An original recent payslip as proof of income. If you are unemployed, an affidavit confirming your unemployment is required.

There are two kinds of housing subsidies

1. A non-finance-linked individual subsidy is what you get if you can pay your contribution, in full, out of your pocket. To apply for a non-finance-linked subsidy, you will need to fill out an application form at the Department of Human Settlements, or contact/ visit your local municipal offices.

2. A finance-linked individual subsidy is what you get if you can't afford to pay your contribution in full out of your savings and need to do so using a loan from a bank or some other financial institution. You will need to be pre-approved for credit with an approved financial institution before you can apply for a finance-linked subsidy at the Department of Human Settlements or at your local municipal offices.

It is illegal to sell an RDP house before you've lived in it for eight years. It also illegal to rent out an RDP house.

Where can I find more information?

You can visit the Department of Human Settlements at 27 Wale Street, Cape Town or call the help desk on 021 483 6488 /3112 /0611 /8984 /0623 (Mondays to Fridays from 07:30 - 15:00). You can also e-mail human.settlements@westerncape.gov.za or visit your local municipality for more information.

The information shared in this article was retrieved from the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements website: www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/human-settlements

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