The South African government Welcoming an Application for RDP Housing Program those who are Qualified for buying RDP Houses.
What is RDP housing?
RDP housing is a South African government programme that ensures people from poor resource settings live in decent houses. RDP is an acronym for Reconstruction and Development Programme.
The late Nelson Mandela established the programme in 1994. Its aim is to promote the country’s social and economic growth. The government runs the project, and the application process is free.
The programme provides beneficiaries with fully built houses RDP houses are provided free of charge by the South African government. However, beneficiaries are required to pay for all municipal rates, including water bills, electricity bills, and other service charges.
Qualifications for RDP houses?
- Applicants must be a South African citizen
- Applicants must be 21 years or older
- Applicants must be contractually capable (mentally able to sign a contract)
- Applicants must be married OR habitually live with a partner OR be single and have financial dependents
- Applicants must earn less than R3500.01 per month (per household)
- Applicants must be a first time government subsidiary recipient
- Applicants must be a first time home owner
RDP Housing is also available to single Military Veterans without financial dependent
List of Required documents for your RDP application?
- Your Identity Document
- Your spouse/ partner’s Identity Document
- Your children’s birth certificates
- Proof of income of all employed individuals (such as a payslip)
READ:RDP house application form PDF Download
Where to Apply
You must submit your application in person at one of the following locations:
Your local municipal housing office
The provincial Department of Human Settlements office
Customer care centres designated for housing applications
There are no official online forms available through social media or independent sites — avoid paying anyone to “fast-track” your application.
How to apply for RDP Housing
The government does not charge an application fee for this programme. All qualified citizens are required to visit the nearest provincial or municipal offices of the Department of Housing for application.
You need the documents listed below to complete the process.
- Your and your partner’s/ spouse’s identity documents (the green books or ID cards)
- Your children’s birth certificates
- Proof of income for employed persons, e.g. a pay slip
In-person application process
Follow the steps below to complete your application at the nearest provincial or municipal offices of the Department of Housing.
- Inform the officials in the office of your intention to enrol in the HSS housing/ RDP houses programme. The relevant officials will give you an RDP housing subsidy application form. Fill it out, ensuring all details are accurate.
- Depending on your location, completing the application form means registering with the Municipal Housing Demands Database or the National Housing Needs Register.
- After this, you will be listed on the waiting list and issued a Form C indicating your application date and number. You will need these details when conducting an online RDP housing status check.
- Make several copies of the above documents and certify them at your nearest magistrates’ court or police station before submitting a copy to the satellite office.
Source: UGC
Online application process
If you are interested in online applications, follow the steps below.
- Visit the HSS portal and click Register to create an account.
- Once registered, log into the RDP online application portal.
- Select New Application.
- Fill in and verify your details before submitting.
Track Your Application Status
You can check your status in various ways:
Online – through the Housing Subsidy System (HSS) portal with your ID
SMS – send your ID and surname to 44108
Phone – call the national housing hotline at 0800 146 873
In person – visit the office where you applied
RDP Contact Detail All South African Provinces
Eastern Cape branch: Steve Tshwete House, 31-33 Phillip Frame Road, Waverly Park, Chiselhurst (Tel: 043 711 9901 / 043 7112 / 043 7113)
Free State branch: 7th Floor, OR Tambo House, Cnr Markgraaff & St Andrews Streets, Bloemfontein, 9300 (Tel: 051 403 3379 / 051 403 3392)
Gauteng branch: 11 Diagonal Street, Marshalltown, 2107 (Tel: 011 355 4000)
KwaZulu-Natal branch: 353-363 Pixley kaSeme Street, Durban, 4001 / 203 Church Street, Pietermartizburg, 3201 (Tel: 031 336 5300 / 033 392 6400)
Limpopo branch: Hensa Towers Building, 28 Market Street & 20 Rabe Street, Polokwane, 0700 (Tel: 015 284 5000)
Mpumalanga branch: 7 Government Boulevard, Building 6 & 7, Riverside Park, Mbombela, 1200 (Tel: 013 766 6088)
North West branch: 1st Floor West Wing, University Drive, Garona Building (Tel: 018 388 5176)
Northern Cape branch: Larry Moleko Louw Building, 9 Cecil Sussman Street, Kimberley, 8301 (Tel: 053 830 9400 / 053 830 9422 / 053 830 9425)
Western Cape branch: 27 Wale Street, Cape Town, 8001 (Tel: 021 483 6488 / 021 483 3112 / 021 483 0623 / 021 483 0611).
FAQs About RDP Housing
What is the value of an RDP house?
The cost of an RDP house varies depending on which location it is in. This is because construction costs will differ from one province and/or municipality to another.
Can a person legally buy a RDP house?
An RDP house can only be sold once the owner and buyer has received written consent from the municipality and have lived in the RDP house for at least 8 years. Owing to it being government subsidiary housing, it is illegal to buy or sell RDP houses without permission.
Can I build onto my RDP house?
If you would like to make alterations or renovations to your RDP house, you will need approval from your City Council – if you build without the proper approval, you can be fined and the structure you built may be demolished.
What is the budget for RDP housing?
As of 1 April 2023, the department’s housing programmes will be adjusted as follows:
- Breaking New Ground (BNG) services and top structure will increase to R255 364 (from R196 887)
- Houses for persons with disabilities will increase to R271 166 (from R209 071)
- Houses for military veterans’ will increase to R312 069 (from R240 607)
- First Home Finance will increase R169 265 (from R130 505)
- Social housing will increase R424 984 (from R327 667)
Can you rent out an RDP house?
Once the homeowner has received the keys and the deed for the property from the housing department, they become the owner. However, this does not mean that they can rent out their RDP house. Renting out an RDP house is illegal as it may not be used to generate a source of income.
What happens to the RDP house after the owner has passed away?
If the owner of an RDP house passes away, the beneficiary stated in their legal will and title deed will then receive the property. However, if the deceased owner did not leave a will, the provincial Housing Department will then give the home to the owners dependents who can stay in the property until they purchase their own homes.
What happens to an RDP house if a partner’s divorce/ split up?
Usually, both partner’s names are on the application forms of the Department of Housing’s database. If you are living in an RDP house and you and your partner split, the court will then determine what will happen to the house thereafter.
If you are on the waiting list for an RDP house, can you apply for housing in another province?
In short, the answer is yes. However, it is important to remember that you will only receive a housing subsidy once. If you have not received an RDP house yet, you may then apply anywhere in South Africa.
If you do apply in another province, you will need to wait your turn again in the new area as each province/ municipality has their own unique waiting list.
Do disabled people qualify for RDP housing?
Yes. The municipality gives preference to beneficiaries living with disabilities as they are essentially in greater need. Disabled beneficiaries also received the benefit of their houses being adapted to their needs.
