Individual Housing Subsidy

We all know that buying a home is a big investment, and one of the best financial decisions you can make. However it requires careful and long term planning. Getting your foot in the housing market is not easy.

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.

This subsidy can only be used once if your application is successful. The subsidy amount is up to R261 000.

You can use this subsidy to:

• Buy an existing house.
• Buy a house on a plot-and-plan basis.
• Construct an incomplete house, if not previously subsidized.

What you need to qualify

You qualify for this subsidy if:

• You are registered on the housing demand database at your nearest municipality.
• You have been on the municipal housing demand database (i.e. waiting list) for a minimum period of 10 years in Cape Town and 5 years in areas outside of Cape Town.
• You are a South African citizen or have a permanent residency permit.
• You are 18 years or older.
• You are married or living with a partner.
• You are single or divorced and have proven financial dependents permanently living with you.
• Your maximum monthly household income is R0 to R 3 500 before deductions.
• You or your partner have never owned property or in exceptional cases where the final order of divorce leaves all immovable property to one person, a person owns a portion e.g. A fifth of a property bequeathed in an estate and where a person owns a vacant stand bought without State assistance.
• You or your partner have never received a subsidy from the government before.

Please note that priority will be given to applicants who are either aged or have special needs ( e.g. disabled persons). There is a limited budget, therefore assistance is provided on a first come first serve basis. Applications can be submitted from 1 April and will be accepted until the funding is depleted.

Application forms are currently still being accepted until further notice.

How to apply

Applications and enquiries can be made directly at the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure.

• Visit 27 Wale Street, Cape Town
• Call the Help Desk on 021 483 6488/0611/0623/2060/3112 (Monday to Friday from 07:30 – 15:00)
• Email human.settlements@westerncape.gov.za; or
• Visit the departmental website: www.westerncape.gov.za/tpw/department-of-infrastructure

Download application forms

• Individual Housing Subsidy Application Form (File type: pdf; size: 768.82 KB)
• Individual Housing Subsidy Brochure