HDA Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

Key Policy Developments and Legislative Changes There have been no mandate nor legislative changes in the period under review. In November 2023, the Department of Human Settlements gazetted the draft White Paper on Human Settlements in accordance with the Housing Act of 1997. The draft White paper focuses on eliminating the backlogs in the delivery of housing and with a particular focus on partnering with key stakeholders to streamline the service delivery model. The White Paper considers the programmes and priorities of the government and aligns with the existing macro policies, namely, the Constitution, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and the National Development Plan (NDP). The White Paper makes key recommendations to assist it in meeting human settlement objectives by doing the following, among other things: • Exploration of a quicker, simplified, less costly process of registration, and transfer of land and property for poor households. • Review and adjust the pre-emptive right clause, to ensure upward mobility and curb the informal transactions of subsidised houses. • Engaging beneficiaries in decision-making processes, to foster a sense of ownership and empowerment among residents, thereby contributing to sustainable outcomes. • Linking housing interventions with improved access to basic services, livelihood opportunities, education, and healthcare. • Will promote in situ upgrading. • Social housing market – the principles anchor affordability, accessibility, safety, and contribution to economic growth, while addressing demand and contributing to spatial restructuring. Collaborative review of the current land administration will entail the empowerment of women to access land and land titles.

The Draft White Paper considers the programmes and priorities of the government and aligns with the existing macro policies, namely, the Constitution, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and the National Development Plan (NDP).

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