The Department of Human Settlements, has implemented a multifaceted approach to tackle the housing backlog and improve living conditions. Central to these efforts is the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) Incubator Programme, which supports emerging developers through capacity building, construction oversight, and post-construction assistance, ensuring sustainable project delivery.
Additionally, collaborations with entities like the Development Bank of Southern Africa and international development finance institutions bolster resources and enhance integration with critical infrastructure. For service integration, the Department has embraced the Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP), which promotes the development of compact, well-serviced settlements.
Utilizing grants such as the Human Settlements Develop Grant (HSDG), Informal Settlement Upgrading Grant (ISUPG), Urban Settlement Development Grant (USDG), the Department has achieved significant milestones in delivering serviced sites, ensuring new housing projects align with essential amenities like water, electricity, and sanitation, fostering cohesive and sustainable communities.
The NHFC is soon to launch an Incubation & Post-investment support programme which aims to support emerging developers at every stage of their projects. The programme will ensure more housing units are delivered, loans are repaid, and new participants are integrated into the housing value chain, through the following: -
(b)
The integration of essential services into new housing developments is a cornerstone of the Department's efforts to create sustainable and livable communities. Guided by the Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) outlined in Part 3 of the 2009 Housing Code, the Department focuses on addressing settlement inefficiencies by promoting the development of compact, well-planned settlements. The IRDP integrates various housing typologies across different price ranges with commercial and social amenities, ensuring that serviced sites play a pivotal role in creating inclusive and functional environments.
To achieve these goals, the Department leverages multiple funding mechanisms, including the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG), the Informal Settlement Upgrading Grant (ISUPG), and the Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG). These grants are allocated annually to Provinces and Metropolitan Municipalities to service identified residential areas, enabling the delivery of essential infrastructure such as water, electricity, and sanitation.
From the 2019 to 2024 financial years, the Department delivered 231,032 serviced sites, achieving 77% of the targeted 300,000. Of these, 186,850 were developed using the HSDG, 22,004 through the ISUPG, and 22,178 via the USDG. These efforts underscore the Department's commitment to ensuring that housing developments are not only well-serviced but also contribute to fostering equitable and sustainable urban growth. By aligning infrastructure planning with housing delivery, the Department is creating integrated, resilient communities that improve quality of life for residents.