148459 HUMAN SETTLEMENT BOOK DRAFT TWO

Acting Director-General’s Statement N otwithstanding many challenges that Government, particularly the Department of Human Settlements (DHS) faces, important milestones have been set throughout the path towards eradicating South Africa’s housing backlog using our programmes to achieve substantive social transformation. DHS’ focus is premised on creating new human settlements that are fully integrated, provide adequate housing and improve the living standards of South Africans and ensure that more people enjoy security of tenure. Our department continues to make important progress towards the realisation of these goals despite other challenges such as the limitation of resources. As outlined in the Department’s 2019/2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), the Department continues to prioritise the provision of housing opportunities for designated groups and availing land and serviced sites to fast-track delivery. Increased effort has also been directed at the upgrading of informal settlements to ensure that more people live in decent and conducive environments. And that residents have access to all the essentials such as clean running water, electricity, roads, and other important facilities such as schools and clinics.

The Department has also prioritised the eradication of the title deeds backlog to ensure that beneficiaries of government housing have full ownership of their properties. This will increase the number of people who own assets thus correcting our country’s skewed property ownership patterns. At the same time, the Government realised that many people fell in what is generally referred to as the “gap market”. These are people who often find it difficult to qualify for housing finance because of their income levels, while they also do not qualify for the Government’s free housing scheme. The Department of Human Settlements is improving its social and rental housing programmes as well as our housing finance scheme. The new First Home Finance programme launched in March this year is aimed at ensuring that more people have access to government financial assistance and make the process of acquiring a house more affordable. We will be collaborating with all partners, including local and provincial governments, civil society, and the private sector to ensure the success of all our programmes.

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