Department Of Human Settlements Subsidy

This is why the Western Cape Government is making housing subsidies available to low-income applicants who want to buy residential property for the first time.

Who can apply for a housing subsidy?
You qualify for a housing subsidy if all of the following statements apply to you:

• You must have been on the municipal housing demand database for a minimum period of 10 years. (Proof of registration required.)
• Priority will be given to applicants over the age of 40 years and / or with special needs.
• You are married or living with a long-term partner / or you are single or divorced with others who rely on your income.
• You are a South African citizen or you have a permanent resident’s permit.
• You are over 18 years of age or if under 18, married or divorced with others who rely on your income.
• Your monthly household income before deductions is less than R3 500.
• You or your partner have never received a subsidy from the government.
• You or your partner have never owned property.
• You and your family will live on the property bought with the subsidy.

If you answer “yes” to all these questions, then you are probably eligible for a housing subsidy. Single people without financial dependants – such as the senior citizens, disabled people, etc. can also apply.
Note: You can’t apply for a housing subsidy if you have received a subsidy or housing assistance from the government before. But you can get a subsidy if you received a land grant.
A housing subsidy can be used to:

• Buy an existing house.

How much is a housing subsidy worth?

• If your monthly household income is less than R3 500, you qualify for a subsidy of R160 573. Note: You don’t have to repay this subsidy as it isn’t a loan.
• If you can prove that you are disabled or in permanent bad health, you qualify for a housing subsidy of R160 573, plus a set disability variance amount to pay for the cost of any extra features your house may need, for example, a ramp for wheelchair access. However, your household income needs to be less than R3 500 a month.

How do I apply for a housing subsidy?There are two kinds housing subsidies, based on whether you can pay your contribution to the house out of your savings, or if you need to borrow money to pay for it.

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.

• Proof of registration on the municipal housing demand database (waiting list) (e.g. City of Cape Town).
• A certified copy of you and your partner’s official South African ID book or card.
• 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.
  Note: You will be asked to provide the ID numbers of your financial dependents. 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.
• A certified copy of your marriage certificate, if you are married.
• A certified copy of your divorce decree, if you are divorced with financial dependents.
• An original recent payslip as proof of income. If you are unemployed, an affidavit confirming your unemployment is required.
• If you are applying for a non-finance-linked individual subsidy, you will also need:
  • To supply a certified copy of the signed agreement of sale for the property.
  • Be sure to make the sale conditional to your receiving a housing subsidy as well as a certified copy of the seller’s title deed.
• If you are applying for a finance-linked individual subsidy, you will also need:
  • To supply a certified copy of the signed agreement of sale for the property.
  • Be sure to make the sale conditional on your receiving a government housing subsidy as well as a house bond.
  • You will also need to provide proof that the house bond has been approved.

Note: If the Western Cape Government has previously subsidised the property you are buying, you will need to provide an affidavit stating whether you are related to the seller.

How is the housing subsidy paid out?
If your application is successful, you will receive this subsidy only once. It isn’t a cash pay-out, but is paid directly to:

• The financial institution from which you are receiving a housing bond or a conveyancing attorney (in the case of finance-Linked individual subsidies).
• The seller (in the case of non-finance-linked individual subsidies).

To prevent fraud, in cases where a homebuyer has to make a contribution to the cost of a house, the buyer will need to pay this contribution in full before the subsidy is paid out.

Will I have to pay anything back?
The housing subsidy isn’t a loan and you don’t need to pay it back.
However, if you have a finance-linked individual subsidy, you will have to pay back your loan to the financial institution that gave it to you.

Who do I contact to check the status of my subsidy application?
You can call or e-mail the Helpdesk for more help or details regarding the status of your subsidy application.

Where can I find more information?
You can visit the Department of Human Settlements at 27 Wale Street, Cape Town or call the helpdesk on 021 483 6488 /3112 /0611 /8984 /0623 (Mondays to Fridays from 07:30 – 15:00).
You can also e-mail [email protected] for more information.