Clear existing backlog of title deeds for subsidised housing
South Africa faces a significant title deeds crisis affecting subsidised housing beneficiaries, with an estimated backlog exceeding 1 million properties valued at over R300bn. High transfer costs (over R11,000 for a R220,000 property) make property transfers prohibitively expensive for low-income households. The Title Deed Friday campaign, launched in October 2023, has distributed 60,246 title deeds…
read more >>Resolve outstanding planning approvals for housing projects
Planning approval delays are a major barrier to housing delivery and economic growth. With over 4,075 unplanned settlements awaiting approval, systemic issues including fragmented governance, poor coordination and a centralised planning system create significant backlogs. The township establishment process is a key bottleneck, with delays often driven by weak institutional capacity and political bureaucracy.
read more >>Increase the small estates threshold
The current R250,000 threshold, unchanged since 2015, allows cost-free administration under Section 18(3) of the Administration of Estates Act. Estates above this require lawyers at a 3.5% fee. Small estates make up about 75% of all reported estates. This low threshold often excludes subsidised housing, despite their modest value. In Khayelitsha, 16% of registered homes…
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