Our Mission

To facilitate and actively participate in housing delivery and the creation of sustainable human settlements in the eThekwini Municipality area with a view to ensuring that all citizens of Durban have access to a housing opportunity which includes secure tenure, basic services and support in achieving incremental housing improvement in living environments with requisite social, economic and physical infrastructure.

The following Departments within the Housing Unit portfolio have individual objectives but a common aim - service delivery:

Research and Policy - advise Housing Executive and Council on key aspects of low-income subsidy-driven housing in the eThekwini Municipal Area; undertake strategic planning; formulate draft Housing Policy; give input into Provincial and National Policy and undertake research into housing and urban development matters. 

Planning - to provide strategic planning input to the Housing Unit as it relates to the implementation of all strategic planning projects and initiatives such as the Informal Settlement Programme (ISP), Vacant Land Audit Project, Housing Plan and Programme, Housing Spatial Plan, Special Intervention Projects, etc; to ensure that identified housing projects and initiatives conform to the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and the Spatial Development Framework Plan as well as supporting housing development that is co-ordinated and sustainable.

Projects - plan and implement low-income shelter opportunities and provide infra-structural services, housing opportunities and full tenure.

Housing Engineering - the construction and provision of infrastructure and housing for the upliftment of the community.

Support and Administration - to assist people in the eThekwini municipal area who are in the low-income category to access low-cost housing opportunities so that the overall objective of housing delivery can be realised; to provide support services to Communities to enable them to contribute to meeting their housing needs and continuing to improve their residential environment.

Rental Housing -  

Council Units - provision of cost-effective and efficient landlord service to tenants which includes administration and maintenance of existing rental stock and to facilitate access to home ownership via the Extended Discount Benefit Scheme.

Community Residential Units: CRU's (formerly known as Hostels) - provision of cost-effective and efficient administration and maintenance of units and improving the living conditions of hostel dwellers.

Social Housing - providing a supportive and enabling environment to Housing Institutions within the eThekwini municipality jurisdiction and strive to develop and manage housing stock in the inner city and various strategic areas.