RDP in South Africa

Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) is a South African socio-economic policy framework implemented by the African National Congress (ANC) government of Nelson Mandela in 1994.

What is RDP housing in South Africa?

In South Africa, RDP housing programme was introduced in order rectify the imbalances of the apartheid legacy by providing decent housing to poor people who were victims of the land segregation policy by the apartheid government. The intention of this programme was to build houses for all people who couldn’t afford them.

How many RDP are there in South Africa?

Since the provision of the first subsidy in 1994 until today, the South African government has provided between two and three million subsidized housing units—popularly known as RDP housing—for low-income beneficiaries.

Who qualifies for an RDP house?

Basically, the primary goal of RDP housing is to replace shacks that are usually found in townships and provide low-income people with a certain amount of dignity and quality of life.  It’s important to note that Government Subsidy house are owned, not rented, by the beneficiaries.

The following are requirements for RDP Applicants:

• A South African citizen
• Over 21 years old and be mentally sound to sign a contract
• A first-time government subsidy recipient and homeowner.
• Married or living with a partner, or single and have dependents (children don’t necessarily have to be your own). Military veteran and the elderly also qualify.
• Earning less than R3, 500 per month, per household.  This means that if it is a two-person household, and the combined income is more than R3, 500, you won’t qualify.

However, South Africans with disabilities are supposed to get preference when it comes to allocation subsidized housing, and the house must be built so that it is accessible.

How does the South African government contribute to RDP houses?

The RDP programme, provides beneficiaries with a fully built house that is provided free of charge by the Government. However, beneficiaries of ‘RDP Houses’ are still required to pay for all municipal rates which may include water and electricity or other service surcharges.

What are disadvantages of RDP houses?

According to Wentzel, “RDP houses are built of such energy-inefficient materials that it is sometimes warmer outside the house than inside. The costs of keeping these houses heated come out of the earnings of the people who can least afford to pay them as heating can cost poor people up to 66% of their income”.

Can I rent out my RDP house in South Africa?

In South Africa, the first point to remember is that it has always been illegal to rent out an RDP house for profit, and the law has not changed. The problem is that the authorities don’t seem to be able to enforce their own rules, and frequently turn a blind eye to illegal renting out of RDP houses.