All you need to know about RDP housing

1. I would like to know what is the best procedure to follow to get an RDP subsidy approved. Since applying in 1996, we have lost hope of owning one of these RDP houses.

Services also seem to have been neglected, as we are still forced to use candles, paraffin or wood.We are getting old living in these poor areas like Klein Elandsvlei, where the roads are never fixed. Mr Mayor, please just visit the Randfontein area and come and see where we are living.

I think wherever elections are taking place, there must be services, but we are forgotten. Freddy Moss, Elandsvlei, Randfontein.

Mayor Maneli: The question can be responded to in two parts. The first part looks at the housing subsidy application process: in order to apply for an RDP house, a person must first ensure that he/she qualifies. Once you are told that you qualify, you then submit an application, which is done by visiting a local municipality or provincial office.

It is important to note that government is dealing with a huge backlog and the delivery of housing units from current projects is not sufficient to eliminate the entire backlog. If you have applied in 1996, you can follow up the application at the same offices where you applied.

In order to qualify for a housing subsidy, you need to comply with the following:

• Be a South African citizen;
• Be over 21;
• Have a total household income of less than R3 500 per month;
• Be married or live with a partner, or be single and have dependants (children you are responsible for); and
• Must never have owned a house or a property anywhere in South Africa.

It is important to caution people who want to apply for a housing subsidy of the following:

• They will only get one housing subsidy (except for consolidation subsidy) in their lifetime, so they must use it carefully; and
•  If you split up with your partner, you will not get another subsidy with your new partner, because you would have been registered as a beneficiary. The beneficiary would have to follow another process to free his/her name from the ownership of the previous house.

The second part looks at the Elandsvlei area, which is one of the informal settlements profiled during 2016. The area is privately owned and is earmarked for relocation to areas such as Badirile, Elandsvlei Extension 1 and Toekomsrus Extension 4. Randwest Council approved the application for Elandsvlei Extension 1 in 2015.

Badirile Extension 2 is approved, but not proclaimed. The Toekomsrus Extension 4 township application has been approved.

2.My name is Puseletso Lizbeth Tsolo. I live in Wedela township, Carletonville, Merafong City. My problem is that I applied for an RDP house in November 2003, but I still have not received one. Please help.

Mayor Maneli: Your question can be responded to in the same manner as the above. Seeing that Puseletso stays in Wedela, it is important to highlight that Wedela is one of the areas with an informal settlement that was profiled during 2016 and is categorised as one of the settlements in Merafong which is intended for imminent full upgrading (rapid formalisation, full services pending availability of bulk infrastructure).

Township Wedela Extension 3 is already proclaimed. Wedela Extension 4 is still conceptual, which means planning design and approval are still required for a proposed township.

3. I’m a security officer in Joburg and we don’t qualify for an RDP house, and low-cost houses in the West Rand are not available. I pay R1 200 for rental in Tshepisong, which is really killing me and my wife and two kids. Please help us security officers. Peter Modibedi

Mayor Maneli: I would recommend the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP), which was developed to enable firsttime home ownership to households in the “affordable or gap” market, especially, people earning between R3 501 and R15 000 per month.

Individuals in these salary bands generally find it hard to qualify for housing finance; their income is regarded as too low for mortgage finance, but too high to qualify for the government “free-house” subsidy scheme. West Rand District Municipality human settlements officials can be contacted for further information and assistance on 011-411-5170.

NEXT WEEK: Solly Msimanga, executive mayor of Tshwane, responds to your questions.