The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) 2025 Department of Human Settlements (DHS) Budget is not only a financial document, it is a testament to government’s commitment – or lack thereof – to the people of our province and reflects the priorities, values and dedication to ensuring that every citizen has access to dignified, secure, and sustainable housing.
KZN continues to grapple with a monumental housing crisis with more than one million residents on the housing waiting list and more than 1 000 informal settlements. These communities endure overcrowding, lack of basic services and the constant threat of eviction. Yet, to date, KZN’s DHS has failed to provide adequate solutions to this.
The DA has consistently called for transparency, accountability, and effective governance from the DHS. We have demanded comprehensive audits, both financial and lifestyle, to root out corruption and mismanagement. Yet there has been no significant action and senior officials continue to evade consequences while projects remain stalled or incomplete.
According to reports, 46 projects are currently stalled, blocked and unfinished, with some contractors failing to perform. This has led to wasteful expenditure and delayed delivery of housing to those in need. The DA has called for a comprehensive turnaround strategy from the DHS which must include:
• Effective oversight and accountability: Ensuring that all projects are subject to rigorous monitoring and evaluation
• Streamlined processes: Reducing red tape and inefficiencies that delay project implementation
• Community engagement: Involving residents in the planning and execution of housing projects to ensure that their needs are met and;
• Financial discipline: Allocating funds judiciously and ensuring that every cent is spent effectively.
The DHS approach to housing also lacks long-term planning and integration with other provincial government departments. There is a failure to develop cohesive strategies that address the maintenance of existing housing, the issuing of title deeds, and the resolution of issues related to informal settlements. It has consistently failed to meet its targets even when resources were sufficient.
KZN DHS Emergency Housing Response Fund, intended to assist communities affected by disasters, is one such example. The fund has been underutilised, with underspending in the 2023/24 financial year attributed to incomplete beneficiary lists, procurement delays and a lack of standard operating procedures. This inefficiency leaves vulnerable communities exposed to further hardships.
The use of emergency funds for housing by KZN’s DHS has faced significant criticism, particularly after the April 2022 floods. Key points include:
• Redirecting approximately R1billion to construct temporary homes for flood victims. While emergency relief was necessary, the redirection delayed progress on addressing KZN’s existing housing backlog, which now stands at more than a million people;
• This while the DHS had already been allocated R476million for emergency housing, yet only spent 5%.
The DHS underspending and inefficiencies in the 2023/24 financial year have undoubtedly exacerbated KZN’s housing crisis. The delays in activating emergency housing funds, stalled projects, lack of accountability, and coordination challenges have left many communities without adequate housing and essential services. Addressing these issues requires urgent reforms, improved governance and enhanced coordination among all levels of government to ensure that resources are effectively utilised.
While government has a primary responsibility to provide housing, the private sector can play a pivotal role in addressing the backlog. The DA supports public-private partnerships (PPP) that bring innovation, efficiency, and additional resources. However, this must not absolve government of its duties – the state must remain the enabler, ensuring that housing remains affordable and accessible to all.
One of the most profound injustices faced by many KZN residents is the denial of title deeds. Without title, individuals cannot leverage their properties for economic advancement, cannot pass them on to their heirs, and live in perpetual uncertainty. The DA calls for an expedited process to issue title deeds to all qualifying beneficiaries, ensuring that they have security of tenure and the ability to build generational wealth.
The DA envisions a KZN where every citizen has access to quality housing, where communities are integrated and sustainable, and where government is a true servant of the people. We believe in a province where spatial planning considers economic opportunities, where infrastructure development is proactive, and where governance is characterized by integrity and efficiency.
During the budget deliberations the DA put forward its recommendations and commended the DHS for agreeing to a set of visionary proposals aimed at transforming its approach to housing and urban development. This is a critical moment for KZN as we strive to ensure that every resident has access to decent, affordable, and sustainable housing. The recommendations discussed are innovative, practical and necessary for the growth of our communities.
KZN is finally moving in the right direction with the DHS agreeing to the following:
• The exploration of new and efficient construction methods, including modular and prefabricated housing, to ensure the best use of available resources and build more quickly, without compromising on quality or sustainability
• The consideration of innovative ways to maximise land use, including high-density housing in urban areas, while ensuring that new developments are well-integrated with existing communities and;
• The establishment and maintenance of a transparent, accountable and efficient housing list. This is a critical step towards ensuring that those in need receive the support they deserve. Transparency of the housing allocation process will ensure fairness and reduce instances of mismanagement. The system will also help track and address the needs of KZN’s most vulnerable, ensuring that no one is left behind.
These are about-turns that the DA has long pushed for within the DHS. They are not just about building houses – they are about building sustainable, resilient and inclusive communities that will support the well-being and prosperity of generations to come.
Another exciting element is the KZN’s Human Settlements portfolio committee’s recommendation of the integration of economic hubs within housing developments. This forward-thinking approach will create new job opportunities, stimulate local economies, and ensure that housing projects do not exist in isolation but contribute to broader socio-economic growth.
As part of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA will continue to monitor the proper implementation of the DHS budget and its action plans. It is an opportunity to correct the wrongs of the past and build a future that reflects our collective aspirations. We stand ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure that it translates into tangible improvements in the lives of our people.