Are there any government housing projects I could qualify for if I previously owned a home?

The long answer

As you know, because you owned a house before, you will not qualify for an RDP house, as they are only given to first-time homeowners. 

But there is another kind of government housing programme, the Community Residential Units and Housing Programme, known as CRU. This is housing that you rent from the government, not buy, and it is aimed at refurbishing inner-city buildings and hostels.

You are allowed to apply for CRU if you have previously owned a house, but you can only qualify if you are:

• Married or living with a partner or a single person with dependents. Aged people without dependents also qualify. (my emphasis)

• A South African citizen

• Over the age of eighteen and mentally competent to sign a contract

• Have a monthly household income of between R800 to R3,500.

• Registered on the Municipal Housing Demand Database/National Housing Needs Register

The municipality will charge you rent to cover the municipal rates of the house.

To apply for CRU housing, you can go to the Housing Needs Register website (https://www.hssonline.gov.za/#/) or visit your nearest provincial or municipal housing office. Some cities, like the City of Cape Town, have other venues for application. The entire application is free of charge. You will need:

• Completed Housing Assistance Form (available online and at your local housing office)

• Certified copies of your own and your spouse/partner’s identity documents

• Certified copies of your marriage or civil union certificate OR a cohabiting affidavit (if applicable)

• Certified copies of your children’s birth certificates

• Proof of foster children guardianship (if applicable)

• Proof of income if working, e.g. salary slip

• Details of special needs within the household, and supporting documents like medical records

Depending on where you are, you will be listed on a Municipal Housing Demand Database or your province’s Housing Needs Register. When new projects are built you might be allocated housing. Remember to keep your proof of registration. If you move, you should let the department where you applied know, so that they can find you if your house becomes available.

To check your status, you can

• Log on to the online Housing Needs Register (https://www.hssonline.gov.za/#/);

• SMS your 13-digit ID number, followed by a space and your surname, to 44108;

• Visit the housing office where you applied;

• Call 0800 146 873

If the municipality doesn’t help you, you can appeal to the MEC of Housing in your province. The MEC has the power to change a municipality’s decision if you appeal to him or her. 

These are the all the government housing assistance contact details in the different provinces:  

• Housing Enquiries Hotline: 0800 146 873

• Gauteng: 011 355 4000

• Western Cape: 079 769 1207 (Please Call Me)

• Eastern Cape: 043 711 9901/2/3

• KwaZulu Natal: 033 392 6400 or 033 3365300

• North West: 018 388 5403

• Limpopo: 015 284 5000

• Northern Cape: 053 830 9422

• Free State: 051 405 3883

• Mpumalanga: 013 766 6087

GroundUp has a guide explaining government housing projects, which you can read here: https://groundup.org.za/article/everything-you-need-know-about-government-housing/

Wishing you the best,
Athalie