Qualifying residents can register on the City’s Housing Needs Register (previously known as the Housing Database) to be considered for a variety of housing opportunities.
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South African residents who live in Cape Town may be able to access housing opportunities. Once you register and apply, we can advise you on the options that suit your needs.
The City considers housing opportunities on a first-come, first-served basis, and takes age and special needs into consideration.
The housing opportunities include:
- City-owned rental accommodation
- Social housing
- State-subsidised Breaking New Ground houses
Beneficiaries of all City housing projects are allocated in accordance with our Allocation Policy: Housing Opportunities and the Housing Needs Register. This ensures that housing opportunities are provided in a fair, transparent and equitable manner.
Qualifying criteria
To qualify to be placed on the Housing Needs Register, you must:
- be a South African citizen or permanent resident;
- be legally competent to enter into a contract;
- be married or cohabiting, or have dependents (does not apply to applicants over the age of 60 or who have disabilities);
- be over the age of 18;
- have a combined income of less than R3 500 per month to qualifty for State-assisted housing;
- never have owned a property;
- never have benefitted from a government housing subsidy before.
How to register
You can register:
- on the Housing Needs Register online;
- at your nearest City housing office;
- at the MyEstate mobile office when it comes to your area;
- at Parow Walk-in Centre or Wale Street Walk-in Centre.
You will need to submit:
- a certified copy of your ID and spouse’s ID, if applicable;
- a completed Housing Assistance Form (in the document download section below)
- certified copies of your children’s birth certificates, if applicable;
- certified copies of marriage or divorce certificates;
- details of special needs within the household, and supporting documents such as medical records;
- proof of address.
Check your status
If you have registered on our Housing Needs Register, be sure to check your personal details and contact details and update when necessary.
You can check your status via the following:
- log onto the Housing Needs Register online (you will need your cell phone number as the one-time password);
- SMS your 13-digit ID number, followed by a space and your surname, to 44108;
- visit your local housing office;
- visit the MyEstate mobile office when it is in your area;
- visit the Parow Walk-in Centre or the Wale Street Walk-in Centre