04 Kikuyu Road, Sunninghill, Johannesburg, 2157

WHAT WE DO

The HDA has two primary objectives. The first is to identify, acquire, hold, develop and release well-located land and buildings for human settlement. The second is to provide project delivery services in the form of planning, capacity support and capability, and project management. The HDA works on projects in particular areas at the specific request of provinces and local municipalities.

As we carry out these objectives, we ensure that human settlement developments are sustainable, viable and appropriately located; that job creation is optimised throughout the process; and that the local community is actively involved.

The HDA is largely funded through a national grant we receive from the Department of Human Settlements and from fees earned from provinces and municipalities.

LEGISLATIVE MANDATE

The HDA’s legislative mandate is guided by several acts, including:

  • The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa: Section 26 of the Bill of Rights (contained in chapter two of the Constitution) mandates the state to achieve the progressive realisation of the rights of all citizens to adequate housing
  • The Housing Act No 107 of 1997: Section 3(4)(h) of this act provides for the establishment and financing of institutions for the purpose of housing development
  • The Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements of 2004: Also known as the Breaking New Ground policy, this plan reflects a change in approach from the government’s initial “provision of housing” to “the creation of sustainable human settlements”. The rapid release of well-located land constitutes a cornerstone of the plan and the HDA was established in order to manage this process
  • The Housing Development Agency Act No 23 of 2008: This Act defines the HDA’s mandate roles and functions. It also makes provision for the HDA to expedite the processes of housing development by overcoming delivery challenges across all spheres of government.

FUNCTIONS

Section 7 (1) of the HDA Act outlines the HDA’s functions. It stipulates that the HDA must:

  • Develop a development plan to be approved by the Minister in consultation with the relevant authorities in the provinces and municipalities
  • Develop strategic plans with regard to the identification and acquisition of state, privately and communally owned land that is suitable for residential and community development
  • Prepare necessary documentation for consideration and approval by the relevant authorities as may be required in terms of any other applicable law
  • Monitor progress of the development of land and landed property acquired for the purposes of creating sustainable human settlements
  • Enhance the capacity of organs of state, including skills transfer, to enable them to meet the demand for housing delivery
  • Ensure that there is collaboration and intergovernmental and integrated alignment for housing development services
  • Identify, acquire, hold, develop and release state, private and communal land for residential and community development
  • Undertake such project management services as may be necessary, including assistance relating to approvals required for housing development
  • Contract with any organ of state for the purpose of acquiring available land for residential housing and community development for the creation of sustainable human settlement
  • Assist organs of state in dealing with housing developments that have not been completed within the anticipated project period
  • Assist organs of state with the upgrading of informal settlements
  • Assist organs of state in respect of emergency housing solutions