Housing subsidy for income bracket R0 - R3 500

If your combined household income is between R0 and R3 500 per month and you need assistance with housing, then you can apply for this service. Every person has the right to adequate housing, a human right that is recognised by our Constitution. The Western Cape Government can help you buy or rent a house. This help can be in the form of subsidies (a cash grant that doesn’t have to be repaid) or subsidised rents (we pay some of your rent).

The Western Cape Government prioritises helping the most vulnerable people in our communities. That means that if you earn very little, you can get a lot more help than someone else who earns a lot of money. Certain groups of people, such as women, single parents, older people over 65 years old, and people with disabilities, will receive subsidies first from the Western Cape Government.

The Western Cape is a growing province, and the number of people who need adequate housing increases every year. This means that it can take a number of years before you can get help with housing from us.

To access one of these subsidies, you must be registered on the housing demand database at your nearest municipality.

If the adults in your house altogether earn less than R3 500 per month, you can apply for these subsidies:

1. Individual Subsidy

The Individual Subsidy is a once-off subsidy of up to R202 888. This money can be used to build a new house, purchase a house, or finish an incomplete house.

Applications open every year in April. Once all the money is allocated, applications close until next year. You can learn more in this article.

2. Enhanced People’s Housing Process (EPHP)

The Enhanced People’s Housing Process is only available on a project basis to communities that are committed to building their own homes themselves. With this subsidy, you can play an active role in building your own house through an organised group. This subsidy is great if you have people in your community with skills like construction and carpentry.

3. Social Housing Programme (SHP)

The SHP can help you rent a house or flat at a reduced rate, depending on how much your family earns each month. You can learn more about how to apply to the SHP here.

4. Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP)

With this subsidy, you'll be able to buy land, install services like plumbing and electricity, and build a home. The subsidy is provided to local municipalities.

5. Institutional Housing Subsidy

With this subsidy, you can lease a house or enter into a rent-to-buy agreement with a Housing institution. You can learn more here. 6. Upgrading of Informal Settlements (UISP)

This subsidy gives you a serviced site in an informal settlement. A ‘serviced site’ is a piece of land that has water and other utilities connected to it. You can combine this subsidy with other subsidies to help you build a house on your site. 7. Consolidation Subsidy

If you received a serviced site before 1994, you can apply for this subsidy. You can receive up to R109 947 to build a new house, or upgrade and complete an existing house.

8. Enhanced Extended Discount Benefit Scheme

If you have been renting a government house since before 1994, you can apply for this subsidy to buy your house. If you've rented government property since 1994, you qualify for this programme.