Housing is the construction of a structure that serves as a home for people. Everybody needs shelter and a place to call home, somewhere to lay their heads after a hard day’s work no matter what.
South Africa has a number of housing systems citizens can choose from depending on their standard of living. It has been arranged in such a way that a person’s cost of living or income from the work they do will determine the housing unit they can choose from per the requirements needed sometimes.
The South African government has initiated policies for building State-owned houses for its citizens. The following are government housing projects;
- Government subsidy housing/ Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) housing
- Community Residential Units
- Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme
- Emergency Housing Programme
- Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (Flips)
- Social Housing
All these housing projects have their terms and conditions for applying.
Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) housing, also known as the Government subsidy housing, is a socio-economic policy implemented by the first black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, to decrease the high level of poverty of South African citizens by building houses. To ease the burden of individuals and families who can’t afford houses or homes to lay their heads. The policy has helped several people since it was initiated.
Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) housing has been of great help on the larger part to the less privileged in South Africa. In as much as this policy faces criticisms that most South Africans will not benefit from it due to corruption and poor construction of the houses, it is and will still be of great help to citizens since it will reduce the crime rate in the country. People who lack shelter, that is, homes to lay their heads in, are at a high risk of being exposed to attacks and abuses from bandits outside. They can be beaten, killed, kidnapped, raped, or forced to do abysmal acts that are against their will.
How To Check If Your RDP House Is Out?
There are several ways you can track your Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) housing status to know whether it was successful or not.
Using the online method to track your Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) house application status, you must do the following;
- Visit the Housing Subsidy Portal using the link below
- Search for the heading “My Housing Subsidy.”
- Enter your ID number in the box. You will know the final status of your application.
Other ways you can check your application status are to;
- Visit your provincial housing office with your Form C. Your application status will be checked for you by officials.
- Send an SMS with your ID number to 44108. You will get feedback that shows the status of your application.
Contact the Department Of Human Settlement (DHS) via the toll-free number 0800 146 873 or 012 421 1915. You can also email the Department at info@dhs.gov.za
Does Applying For RDP House Go For A Fee?
Applying for a Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) house is free and does not go for any cost.
Who Qualifies To Apply For RDP Housing?
You must meet the National Housing Subsidy Scheme (NHSS) before you apply. Those who qualify to apply for the Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) house are individuals who are South African citizens or permanent residents and are 21 years and above. You must therefore meet the following requirements when applying;
- Be married or living with a partner
- partner/ Be single and dependent
- Retired military people and the aged
- Mentally sound to sign a contract
- A first-time receiver of a government grant
- A first-time homeowner
- Unemployed or earn between R0 to R3,501
What Are The Required Documents Needed When Applying For RDP Housing?
The necessary documents you will need when applying are;
- ID card or Green book of applicant and spouse or partner
- Birth certificates of children
- Proof of income (Payslip)
- Marriage certificate
- Death certificate (For deceased spouse)
- Proof of disability
Where Can You Apply For RDP Housing?
You would have to visit the following places with the required documents to be able to apply for a Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) house;
- Local Municipality
- Provincial Department Of Human Settlement
How Do You Apply For RDP Housing?
To start your Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) house application, you must do the following;
- Visit your local municipal office or the nearest or Department of Housing’s provincial office with the required documents.
- Fill out the Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) subsidy application form. Completing the form at the location you find yourself means you’ve registered with the Municipal Housing Demand Database or the register for National Housing Needs.
- Your details will now be on the waiting list, and you will be issued a Form C which has the date and number for the application. These credentials will be used to track your Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) housing status.
Before you go to the satellite office, make sure you make photocopies of your documents and get them certified at a police station or magistrate court.
To apply for an RDP house using the online method, you have to do the following;
- Login to the Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) online application site
- Choose a new application form
- Verify your details
- Fill out the application form and submit it.
What Are The Important Things You Should Take Notice Of When Applying For RDP Housing?
- No fee is charged when applying for Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) housing.
- Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) housing does not involve third parties when it comes to matters of application and submission of the application form. You either apply online via the Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) housing portal or visit the appropriate municipal office or housing provincial office for any application information and help.
- The waiting period after applying for a Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) house takes quite a long time, like two years.
- Only South African citizens who are unemployed or earn between R0 to R3,501 are eligible to apply for Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) housing.
- Meeting all the requirements for the Reconstruction Development Programme (RDP) housing application does not guarantee success in your application.