New online system for subsidy applications

HOUSING beneficiaries will soon be able to apply online for government housing subsidies and be informed about the outcome of their applications.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

This comes after the Department of Human Settlements partnered with the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) to develop the National Digital Human Settlements Management System.

Human Settlement Minister Thembi Simelane announced the new initiative when she presented the department's R101.2 billion budget for 2025/26 in the National Assembly earlier this week.

Simelane said the department developed the Housing Subsidy System a few years ago, which is a portal meant to serve as a housing needs register database and information system.

"However, it is a legacy system which is not compatible with the latest technologies and lacks the critical component of citizen engagement," she said.

Simelane also said her department, working with Sita, was in the process of developing the National Digital Human Settlements Management System, which will modernise the way they manage human settlements data and improve coordination across departments.

"This initiative will address current inefficiencies by providing a centralised platform for better resource management and service delivery.