Gauteng Department of Housing

West Rand communities are urged to come forward to update their personal information on the new Demand Database only when the campaign comes over to the area. The campaign was launched in Sedibeng and Motsweding and will be extended to the Ekurhuleni, City of Johannesburg and Tshwane. Currently the campaign is being implemented in the West Rand .

"We call upon all the people registered on the old waiting list to come forward only when the campaign comes to their area" said MEC Nomvula Mokonyane.

"I urge people living in Soweto , Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and other areas not to come to our offices to update their information as we will come to their areas. When we come to your area, we will announce on your local radio stations and newspapers," added MEC Mokonyane

"For now the only people that should come forward are those living in the West Rand ( Mogale City , Westonaria and Randfontein) and as our officials have already set up operating centres in those areas"

The department has expressed concern at the high number of impatient people who are simply going to the provincial department instead of waiting for the campaign to come to their area.

"We assure everyone that they will be attended to. There is absolutely no need for people to think that by coming to our offices they will receive the first attention as the Demand Database ensures that all the people in need of housing are well attended to."

The campaign is branded as "Ziveze.Itlhagise" (meaning present yourself), the campaign is being delivered to Gauteng residents and households through various media channels including radio, print media advertising, street posters as well as information leaflets. Over 500 000 citizens registered on the Gauteng Waiting List are expected to respond to the call. Gauteng MEC Nomvula Mokonyane says the process will ensure that government has the accurate information that will be used for planning purposes and to improve housing delivery in the province.

What is Demand Database?

The Housing Demand Database is a new and innovative record management system introduced by the Gauteng Department of Housing to identify the community's housing needs in the province and to promote fair, equitable and transparent allocation of houses. It will replace the waiting list.

"According to Housing MEC Ms Nomvula Mokonyane "unlike the waiting list, the Demand Database will have records of all customers in need of all types of housing products ranging from free low cost housing, rental accommodation and credit linked or bonded housing.

This means that customers not qualifying for free RDP houses for various reasons will also be registered on the Demand Database.

"The Demand Database will be used as a planning tool for housing development in the province and this will assist us to deliver the right products to the right people, based on need, choice and affordability"

The Demand Database will in brief assist government in achieving the following objectives:

Provide government with accurate and detailed records that will eventually assist in the allocation of houses

Most importantly the Demand Database will be used in future as a planning tool for housing development in Gauteng.

Citizens who have applied for a house in Gauteng and willing to successfully update their information on the new Housing Demand Database should bring along the necessary documentation.

Customers are urged to come along with their spouses with all the following documents:

To speed up the process and improve service delivery, customers must make sure they bring all relevant documents when they come to update their information. The wrong documents mean incorrect information resulting in delayed delivery.

"If you only bring your ID and nothing else, we will not be able to assist you, as you will have to go back home and get the rest of the documents and come back another time, which delays having your details on the Demand Database and ultimately slows down the whole process" commented MEC Mokonyane.

Look out for the waiting list publication

In order to assist Gauteng housing customers to update their personal details without many hassles, the department of housing has published a list with names of all the customers previously registered on the housing waiting list. The list will be made available at the registration sites and most government offices in all the regions during the roll out phase.

Customers who have registered on the waiting list are requested to go through the list and go to the nearest operating centre in their areas to update or verify their details.

Those whose details have changed such as people who have moved from one area to the other and those who have not declared their full personal information should also visit the operating centres to update their information.

Those whose names are not on the waiting list with proof of registration are also requested to come forward.

MEC Mokonyane comments: Our responsibility is to ensure that each and every citizen is attended to in order for us to be able to take this process forward. No one will be turned back and our officials on site will be there to provide assistance to each and every community member."

MEC Mokonyane also reminds all citizens not to forget to bring along the necessary documents such as ID and marriage certificates, where necessary.

How to update your information

The housing list will have names, identity numbers and addresses of the applicants and it is important that people make sure that their details are captured correctly. If not, they need to come forward and update their details with supporting documents.

"If your name appears on the list with the wrong identity number, then we urge you to come forward with your green bar coded, South African ID, so it can be captured correctly.

"If you have moved and your physical address has changed then you need to notify us. Also if your marital status has changed your housing needs will most likely change as well. If you were single and are now married with children, you would probably require a bigger unit. All this information needs to be captured to ensure that you are correctly allocated" says the MEC Mokonyane.

"The outcome of this exercise will result in a reliable housing Demand Database system and more efficient service delivery to all our people in the province", concluded MEC Mokonyane.

We are coming to your area soon

Communities, living outside Sedibeng and Metsweding are urged to await their turn to update their details on the new housing Demand Database being launched today. The pilot process will be extended to other Districts and municipalities over a five month period and each community will be informed through the media once the campaign is extended to their area.

The department will establish operating centres as part of the roll-out campaign in each and every region.

The community awareness project themed Ziveze.Itlhagise, meaning come forward or present yourself, will be rolled out in other regions such as Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, City of Johannesburg the Westrand.

The process of updating is simple, but it is important that customers await their turn for when the project is rolled out in their areas, and not just pitch up anywhere as this will cause confusion and delay the process.

With currently being rolled out in the Westrand and will be rolled out to other region such as Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and City of Johannesburg in the coming months.