Council approved the City of Cape Town’s Revised Allocation Policy: Housing Opportunities on 31 March 2022.
The changes to the policy relate to the selection of qualifying beneficiaries and the allocation of various types of State-subsidised housing opportunities within the city to ensure fairness and streamlining of processes.
image credit: COCT
Some of the approved changes include:
- Expedited decision-making processes in certain instances.
- Any developer, including the City and the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements, who implements the national housing programmes as set out in this policy within the boundaries of the City must adhere to the principle of the Allocation Policy when allocating units to qualifying beneficiaries. This is to ensure a standard and fair process when allocating state subsidised housing within the City.
- Applicants must be registered on the City’s Housing Needs Register to be considered for a housing opportunity and must comply with the national housing subsidy qualifying criteria.
- Greater consideration for applicants within the priority group, which includes the elderly and persons with disabilities.
- Consideration of anti-social behaviour of prospective tenants when applying for Community Residential Units.
- Monthly household Income bracket increase from R10 000 to R15 000 per month when applying for Community Residential Units.
The proposed changes aim to expedite certain decision-making processes and further enhance fairness and transparency when allocating State-subsidised housing opportunities including Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses, Community Residential Units and the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP). It must be noted that the housing allocation process as outlined in the policy is strictly controlled and transparent and it is in line with various national and provincial human settlements-related laws and policies that are in place.
‘Given the complex context in which the provision of housing opportunities exists, it is important that when State-subsidised housing is available, our policies ensure that qualifying beneficiaries, who are registered on the City’s Housing Needs Register, are empowered and benefit from a fair and transparent process. Clear policy provisions also expedite the provision of housing opportunities. The changes made to the policy aim to do just that,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi.
The policy underwent two rounds of public participation and valuable input was sought from key internal and external stakeholders, including the broader public as part of the policy development process. Careful consideration was given to the comments received as the policy was finalised.
