Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara announced that the Department had exceeded its target in the 2024- 2025 Financial year.
Motara said on housing delivery, the Department exceeded expectations. Against a target of 5,914 Breaking New Ground (RDP) houses, we delivered 7,237 units, and on serviced sites, the plan was for 233, we delivered 474 sites.
“These results reflect not only efficient management but also a clear responsiveness to the needs of our communities,” she said.
The MEC said through the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme, nine informal settlements were provided with interim municipal engineering services, while 518 households were relocated into Mega Projects.
“This is also more than double our annual target. For the families who moved from informal dwellings into structured communities, this achievement represents hope, dignity, and stability,” said Motara.
She said that on tenure security, the Department registered 6,244 title deeds out of a planned 10,316. That is a performance rate of 61%.
“Although it falls short of the target, it is important to acknowledge that this outcome reflects systemic challenges, including municipal signoffs, caveats, and outstanding proclamations, rather than lack of commitment. Each title deed issued represents a household that now has the security of ownership, the ability to leverage property for economic inclusion, and the comfort of knowing their investment in a home is protected,” she said.
Motara said the Department also made advances in the Hostel Redevelopment Programme. Major repairs were carried out at Denver, Jeppe, George Goch, Murray & Roberts, and MBA hostels, while procurement for the LTA Hostel is under way.
Motara said that the Department’s key challenge was fiscal constraints and land availability.
“The housing backlog stands at approximately 750,000 approved beneficiaries awaiting allocation. This is not just a statistic; it is a reflection of families still waiting for the promise of democracy to reach their doorstep. This backlog is compounded by rapid migration and urbanisation into Gauteng, which adds thousands of new households to our population every year.
She said that the scarcity of well-located serviced land continues to limit delivery.
Title deed delays, disputes with municipalities over utilities, and the weight of legacy projects remain challenges that we must overcome.
Relating to the Department’s entity, the Gauteng Partnership Fund, Motara said it has proven its value through consistently showing that by leveraging partnerships, innovation, and financial discipline, the Department can multiply our impact.
She said that in 2024/25, the GPF through Mega Projects, facilitated 2,884 serviced stands and 1,637 top structures.
“It achieved its target for rental housing, completing 299 units against a target of 298. It exceeded its student accommodation target, delivering 422 student beds against a target of 366. And it directed 69.5% of its capital project expenditure to SMMEs and enterprises owned by women, youth, and persons with disabilities exceeding the national transformation benchmark and proving that delivery can go hand-in-hand with empowerment.
Motara said financially, the GPF has demonstrated excellent discipline. With an adjusted budget of R98 million, it achieved a 96% expenditure rate, maintained a cost-to-income ratio of 41%, and secured a clean audit: an unqualified outcome with no findings.
“Housing is not merely about shelter; it is about human dignity, social justice, and economic inclusion. When a family receives a title deed, they acquire not just property but a stake in the economy. When we service a stand or build a unit, we are not just constructing infrastructure, we are building hope, safety, and opportunity,” she said.
Motara said the Annual Reports also reflect our commitment to the principles enshrined in the Freedom Charter, which proclaimed that “there shall be houses, security and comfort.” In our time, this vision is given life through programmes like the Rapid Land Release Programme, Mega Projects, and hostel redevelopment.
