A revised Accreditation Framework for Municipalities to administer National Housing Programmes (2023) has been approved in a significant development for the Human Settlements Sector. This framework is set to empower municipal- ities progressively while ensuring efficient housing delivery. The approval came after a presentation at a meeting between Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete, and provincial MECs of Human Settlements (MINMEC) last Friday.
MINMEC is a crucial platform for collaboration between the Ministry and MECs from all nine provinces, involving mayors, MMCs, and representatives from the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). Kubayi expressed her optimism: "This is a big step towards creating objective criteria for accrediting municipalities with a clear accreditation process timetable.
Allowing municipalities to progressively build implementation capacity bolsters our long-term objective of creating a fully enabling environment for our municipalities to be self-sufficient in Human Settlements delivery. This way, we capacitate them while ensuring we reach our targets." The revised framework addresses challenges faced while implementing the 2012 Accreditation Framework.
It introduces a programme-based incremental approach, allowing municipal- ities to be accredited for implementing programmes that align with their capacity and priority needs. Furthermore, the framework recognises the role of intermediate city municipalities in promoting balanced and dispersed growth across the country.
MINMEC also agreed to prioritise the issuance of title deeds and discussed reducing turnaround times for township declarations. Collaborative efforts were emphasised to address cross-border demarcation challenges affecting the title deeds rollout program. Issuing title deeds nationwide is a top priority for the department , focusing on clearing backlogs.
Municipalities were urged to distribute title deeds actively instead of storing them in their offices, ensuring that homeowners regain their dignity and access economic benefits. MINMEC received a report on the fiscal environment and discussed the sector's response to budget cuts.
Despite these challenges, the Human Settlements sector has made notable progress during the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (2019-2024). Of the targeted 300 000 fully subsidised houses, 208,358 are now on the ground.
Similarly, 172 066 serviced sites have been delivered out of a projected 190 437, and First Home Finance has exceeded its 20 000-unit target, with 22,035 units produced. Kubayi emphasised the sector's commitment to helping the "missing middle" attain homeownership. Concerns were raised about provincial spending for the current financial year, with provinces urged to align with their business plans to avoid fund redirection to more performing provinces.
The sector's spending currently stands at 32 percent, with eight months remaining in the financial year. The sector has made strides in ensuring timely payment of claims within 30 days. Provincial departments are working to eliminate bottlenecks that could cause project delays and block housing delivery.
Provincial departments are also prioritising the mandatory allocation of 40 percent for businesses owned by women, youth, and people with disabilities in the first quarter performance.
The meeting in the Bojanala Platinum District was preceded by a visit to hand over keys to beneficiaries of the Moses Kotane Community Residential Units (CRU), an affordable rental housing project in North West. The CRUs comprise 110 units, including bachelor and two-bedroom rental accommodations, supporting upgrading government-owned communal rental housing.
This initiative aims to provide secure, stable rental tenure for lower-income earners, and beneficiaries praised the affordability, safety, and proximity to work made possible by the government-subsidised programme.
