1. Who can apply for a housing subsidy?
   
2. How much is a housing subsidy worth?
   
3. How much must I pay in?
   
4. How do I apply for a housing subsidy?
   
5. What documentation must I supply when applying for a subsidy?
   
6. How is the housing subsidy paid out?
   
7. Will I have to pay anything back?
   
8. Where can I find out more information?

You qualify for a housing subsidy if ALL of the following statements are true:

1. I am married or cohabiting with a long-term partner. (If you are married or cohabiting, it does not matter whether you have financial dependents or not.)
   OR
   I am single or divorced with financial dependents.

2. I am a South African citizen
   OR
   I have a South African Permanent Resident's Permit.
3. I am over 21 years of age
   OR
   I am under 21 years of age and married or divorced with financial dependents.
4. I am of sound mind.
5. My gross monthly household income is less than R3 500.
6. I have never received a subsidy from the government, and neither has my partner.
7. I have never owned property, and neither has my partner.
8. My family and I will live on the property bought with the subsidy.

If you answer "true" to all of the above, then you are probably eligible for a housing subsidy.

• If your household income is less than R1 500, you are eligible for a subsidy of R36 528. You do not have to repay this subsidy as it is not a loan.
• If your household income is more than R1 500 and less than R3 500, you are eligible for a housing subsidy of R34 049. You do not have to repay this subsidy as it is not a loan.
• If your household income is less than R3 500 and you can prove that you are disabled or health stricken, you are eligible for a housing subsidy of R36 528, plus a set variance amount to pay for the cost of any extra features your house may need, for example, a ramp for wheelchair access. (See Housing Subsidies for the Disabled and Health-Stricken)

If you are eligible for a full housing subsidy of R36 528 (see above), you will not have to contribute anything to the cost of the house.

If you are eligible for a subsidy of R34 049, you will have to pay the shortfall of R2 479 out of your own pocket.

For information on other kinds of subsidies, go to our Subsidies & Assistance page.

1. A copy of your bar-coded South African ID, that of your partner or spouse, and the birth certificates of your financial dependents. (See Applying for a Birth Certificate if you have lost your dependents' birth certificates.) Please note that you will be asked to provide the ID numbers of your financial dependents.
   OR
   A copy of your Permanent Residency Permit if you are not South African, plus those of your partner or spouse and dependents.
2. Your marriage certificate, if you are married
   OR
   Your divorce decree, if you are divorced with financial dependents.
3. A recent payslip (less than six months old) as proof of income.

To prevent fraud, in cases where a homebuyer has to make a contribution to the cost of a house, the government requires that this contribution is paid in full before the subsidy will be paid out.

Department of Local Government & Housing
27 Wale Street
Cape Town

Housing Subsidies Helpdesk
Call 021 483 2342 between 8am and 4.15pm, Mondays to Fridays.