Residents of the Western Cape have been warned by the Department of Human Settlements to be aware of fake housing scams that ask people to pay for help from the government.
According to the department, fraudulent scams have increasingly been reported, appearing on different platforms, particularly online, where they request citizens to either pay a deposit or holding fee for a government house or to pay to be approved for a government housing opportunity.
“Residents should be aware that no payment is required to be placed on the housing demand database, to apply for a housing subsidy, or any related government housing service.”
“With regard to the sale of any house, it is important to note and request a copy of the title deed from the seller, or some form of proof that the house up for sale is in fact legally owned by the seller. Without such proof, it is not advisable to exchange any money or proceed with any sale,” the department said.
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Acting Head of Department Phila Mayisela further mentioned that in many instances, vulnerable residents fall prey to these scams in the hope of being assisted, or bumped up on the waiting list, for a government housing opportunity.
“In most cases, money exchanged due to fraudulent scams is not recovered,” Mayisela added.
The province’s Human Settlements Minister, Tertuis Simmers, said that the change to the criteria for qualifying for social housing based on household income will allow more people to rent cheaply and allow the department to start more social housing projects.
Simmers applauded Mmamoloko Kubayi, National Minister of Human Settlements, for making changes to human settlements subsidies, including raising the qualification criteria for social housing from R1 500 to R15 000 to R1 850 to R22 000 gross monthly income.
“The social housing household income qualification criteria adjustment will enable those who could not access housing opportunities, due to earning higher than the previously prescribed household income band, to access these opportunities,” Simmers said.
To qualify for a government-subsidised house, residents need to:
- Be registered on the housing demand database at your nearest municipality.
- Be a South African citizen or have a permanent residency permit.
18 years or older. - Be married or living with a partner.
- Be single or divorced and have proven financial dependents permanently living with you.
- Earn a household income of R3 500 or less, before deductions.
- Not be current or previous property owners.
- Not having received a housing subsidy from the government before.
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Picture: Esti