Yes, the Department has strategies, policies and programmes in place to ensure that urban policies do not exclude vulnerable population. These include:
1. The Cabinet approved Comprehensive Plan for Development of Integrated Sustainable Human Settlements, commonly known as Breaking New Ground (BNG) Strategy that was approved in 2004.
11. The White Paper for Human Settlements that was approved by Cabinet in December 2024. The White Paper priorities the vulnerable populations such as the elderly and persons living with disabilities.
111. The Department also has several programmes that are contained in the National Housing Code. The Housing Code has a qualification criterion that would be applicable in each programme that would yield rental or an ownership opportunity.
a) Migrants who meet the qualification criteria would qualify for a particular type of subsidy that may enable a person to access rental or ownership opportunities
b) Informal workers who also meet the qualification criteria would qualify for a particular type of subsidy that may enable a person to access rental or ownership opportunities.
As an example, the general qualification criteria include age, income marital status, and other specific details e.g. whether a person is deemed a military veteran or restitution beneficiaries. The specific details of general criteria stipulate that a person would qualify for a subsidy if he/she is:
1. 18 years of age and above and be competent to contract,
ii. Married, cohabiting and single with financial dependents,
111. He or she is lawfully resident in South Africa (i.e. citizen of the Republic of South Africa or in possession of a permanent residence permit),
1v. Neither that person nor his or her spouse has previously derived housing benefits from government assistance,
v. Has a household income that ranges between RO and R3 500 per month. A person, whether migrant or informal worker, may qualify for a fully subsidized housing unit for ownership or rental opportunity under relevant programme
v1. Having a household income that ranges between R3501 and R22 000, that person whether migrant or informal worker may qualify for a partial subsidy for ownership or rental purpose which would be classified as part of First Home Finance (FHF formerly FLISP) subsidy programme or social housing programme.
v11. The qualification criteria also include checking if a person has owned a property before.