Government's Developer of Choice

The HDA is a national public entity established to identify, acquire, prepare, and develop land for human settlement purposes. We work with national, provincial, and local government to fast-track the delivery of sustainable, integrated human settlements in South Africa.

Our mandate includes acquiring, assembling, and developing land for human settlements; providing technical, planning, and project management support; supporting informal settlement upgrading; and strengthening capacity within provinces and municipalities.

The HDA does not directly build individual houses. Instead, we prepare land, coordinate bulk services, manage large-scale human settlement projects, and support government and implementing agents. Appointed contractors generally carry out construction.

Applications are not handled by the HDA. Applicants must register with their local municipality or provincial Department of Human Settlements. The HDA does not manage beneficiary registration.

The HDA can acquire land through state land transfers, purchases of private land, donations and agreements with landowners. Acquisitions follow legislative and Treasury guidelines.

The HDA manages informal settlement upgrading, integrated residential development planning, emergency housing interventions, land acquisition and release for housing, and catalytic and mega human settlement projects.

Yes. Project information may be available in HDA reports and publications, media releases, public meetings and government communication channels, subject to confidentiality requirements and PAIA.

Yes. The HDA works with private developers, built-environment professionals and service providers in accordance with transparent procurement and government processes.