*QUESTION 1 - MINISTER ON GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO ERADICATE ALLEGED CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN THE HUMAN SETTLEMENTS SECTOR*
The Minister of Human Settlements has spoken extensively against criminal acts that are taking place in the sector.
The Minister of Human Settlements has engaged the South African Police Service at different levels regarding the criminal acts that are taking place in the sector.
Corruption and extortion of monies either from occupants of housing beneficiaries or service providers are criminal acts and if they are elevated to the attention of the department and or the Minister in particular they will be reported to the South African Police Service.
*QUESTION 2 - MINISTER ON GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE EMERGENCY HOUSING RESPONSE DURING NATIONAL DISASTERS*
When the National Department Human Settlements assumed the responsibility of Emergency Housing Response, it developed the Emergency Housing Response Guidelines. To improve the work the department is doing around this area an Emergency Housing Disaster Management Framework has been developed.
To ensure that there is urgent response to disasters and provision of emergency housing, both the guidelines dictates that:
a. That emergency housing response teams must be on site within 24 hours and as and when the site is declared safe by relevant authorities e.g. PDMC, MDMC etc, b. The report will then be compiled and be processed within 48 hours.
Since assuming this responsibility the department has ensured that needs for emergency housing are met in areas that were affected by the disasters. This is further amplified by the collaboration with other stakeholders including NGOs and other sector departments.
It is important to note that the Emergency Housing Response Fund does not only provide relief in the form of temporary housing, but the outputs thereof include the provision of building material as well as repairs which are facilitated by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC).
Furthermore, following decision made during the meeting of the Minister and Members of Executive Councils responsible for Human Settlements (MINMEC) on 03 October 2024, the department intends to partner with traditional leaders, utilizing geo-mapping to identify disaster-resilient areas suitable for human settlements development.
This collaborative initiative aims to enable traditional leaders to identify safe land parcels for settlement purposes and avoid disaster-prone areas in vulnerable provinces.
By leveraging geo-mapping technology, the department aims to inform decision makers to make better land allocation decisions, ensuring the safety and well-being of communities.
*QUESTION 3 – MINISTER ON GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS*
The National Department of Human Settlements is aware of the lack of performance by some provinces. The Minister of Human Settlements directed the Provincial Government Department responsible for Human Settlements to submit acceleration plans and revised business plan for the implementation of 2024/25 ISUPG to the National Department of Human Settlements on 13 September 2024.
The purpose of the acceleration plans is to ensure that there is improvement in the implementation of the informal settlement projects.
The majority of the changes effected are on projects already in the implementation stage, with a few new projects that are implementation-ready being introduced to accelerate the upgrade of informal settlements and improve expenditure.
*QUESTION 4 – MINISTER ON GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE LEGISLATION IN THE HUMAN SETTLEMENTS SECTOR TO RESPOND ADEQUATELY TO CURRENT SITUATIONS*
The Department is embarking on a process of policy and legislative review, including the development of the White Paper for Human Settlements.
Part of this process will give effect to the review of the current upper income threshold of R22 000, as well as well as lower income threshold of R3500.
The White Paper is at the stage of Cabinet approval process. Once the threshold review is finalised, relevant details of will be publicly communicated through a regulation, after discussions with the National Treasury, Statistics South Africa and Department of Labour and Employment, which will take place after the release of the living conditions survey report, which is likely to be in December 2024.
*QUESTION 5 - MINISTER ON GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO ADDRESS SERVERAL HUMAN SETTLEMENTS CHALLENGES IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCE*
*(a) Actions taken to address the lack of promulgation of the 1996/7 housing list in Gauteng:*
The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements acknowledges the historical backlog in housing allocation, particularly concerning the 1996/7 housing list. To address this, they have implemented the following actions:
• *Prioritization of 1996-1999 applicants:* The Housing Allocation Policy specifically addresses this backlog in Section 12.2. It mandates that 40% of housing allocations in all departmental projects be reserved for applicants from the 1996-1999 waiting list. This prioritization aims to rectify the long-standing delay in providing housing to these individuals. • *Development of a Housing Allocation Policy:* The department has formulated a comprehensive Housing Allocation Policy to guide the housing allocation process in Gauteng. This policy promotes transparency, accountability, and fairness in allocating housing, reducing the potential for irregular allocations and ensuring that the backlog is addressed systematically.
*Additional Key Actions Include the following:*
• Providing clear management guidance on the housing allocation process in Gauteng. • Recording housing demands within the Gauteng City Region to enhance allocation efficiency. • Offering effective solutions to challenges related to housing allocations. • Combating corruption by promoting transparency and accountability among government officials.
*(b) Actions taken by the Government to assist the Gauteng Provincial Executive in addressing the housing crisis:*
Actions taken to assist the Gauteng Provincial Department include:
• *Funding:* The national government provides funding to provincial governments for housing development and infrastructure. This funding is crucial for Gauteng to implement its housing programs and address the backlog. • *Policy Framework:* The national government sets the overall policy framework for housing in South Africa. This framework guides provincial governments in developing their housing policies and strategies. • *Oversight:* The national government oversees the implementation of housing programs by provincial governments, ensuring that funds are used effectively and that housing targets are met. • *Collaboration:* The national and provincial governments collaborate on various housing initiatives, sharing best practices and coordinating efforts to address the housing crisis.
*QUESTION 6 – MINISTER ON THE PROVISION OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS TO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR RDP HOUSES*
A *serviced site* is a plot of land that has been prepared for residential construction by providing essential services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and access to roads.
In rural areas, this may include water-harvesting systems and ventilated improved pit latrine toilets.
*Criteria for accessing a serviced site:*
• *Income:* Individuals across all income groups are eligible to access a serviced site. The allocation process and cost vary based on income level:
o *Households with incomes less than R3,500:* Allocated a serviced site free of charge, provided they meet the subsidy program's requirements. o *Households with incomes between R3,501 and R22,000:* Required to purchase the site at a predefined input cost, which can be reduced by the amount of the First Home Finance Subsidy they qualify for. o *Households with incomes above R22,000:* Required to purchase the serviced site at the input cost plus a prescribed mark-up.
• *Residency and Ownership:* The individual must lawfully reside in South Africa or possess a permanent residence permit. They should not have owned a fixed residential property previously. • *Land Restitution Beneficiaries:* Individuals who have benefited from the Land Restitution Programme may also be eligible for a serviced site.
(a) *Plans to Provide Serviced Sites to Private Individuals*
The government does have plans to provide serviced sites to private individuals who cannot qualify for Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses. These plans are anchored in the Housing Code Policy and the Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP), which provide various subsidies regulated by the South African Constitution. The First Home Finance subsidy program accommodates those earning above R3,500 by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals in the gap market, typically those with incomes between R3,501 and R22,000, to purchase their first residential property. This assistance is structured in a way that aligns with their income level and affordability.
*Specific provisions for those earning above R3,500:*
