Election day Wed 4 Nov

Houses, informal settlements and title deeds

14 of 20 (Party A group of people who stand for election together, with shared plans.) have a 2026 promise on housing and land, and we have checked 17 (Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.) records.

Party promises last checked 20 October 2026.

Party promises last checked 20 October 2026.

What have the councils done on building houses?

Things a metro council did, did not do or cancelled. Tap one to see the check.

VerifiedBuffalo City built 439 subsidised houses in 2024-25, against a target of 800.Council record · Buffalo City VerifiedA Buffalo City housing project in Cambridge West was 17 to 18 months late and 49% complete.Council record · Buffalo City VerifiedIn Buffalo City, people long on the housing list were not given houses or were removed from it.Council record · Buffalo City VerifiedCape Town met 38% of its housing targets in 2024-25.Council record · Cape Town VerifiedEkurhuleni built 130 subsidised houses in 2024-25, after lowering its target from 537 to 115.Council record · Ekurhuleni VerifiedEkurhuleni's Clayville housing project has cost R113 million and delivered no homes.Council record · Ekurhuleni VerifiedIn Johannesburg, people long on the housing list were not given houses or were removed from it.Council record · Johannesburg VerifiedTshwane's Chantelle Extension 39 housing project was 16 months late and work had stopped.Council record · Tshwane VerifiedeThekwini's Etafuleni housing project was 132 months late, with some people in unfinished homes.Council record · eThekwini VerifiedMangaung planned 264 serviced sites in 2024-25, and the Auditor-General found it delivered 43.Council record · Mangaung VerifiedIn Mangaung, people long on the housing list were not given houses or were removed from it.Council record · Mangaung VerifiedNelson Mandela Bay's Walmer Airport Valley Phase 2 housing project was eight months late.Council record · Nelson Mandela Bay

What have parties claimed on building houses?

Things a party said, or said about another party. We checked each one. Tap one to see the check.

What does each party promise on building houses?

Tap a line for the full promise and its source. The order changes on each visit.

ActionSASupport serviced plots and affordable homes to buy or rent.

ActionSA promises to back site-and-service projects. These are plots with basic services, such as water and toilets. It also promises to back homes that people can afford to buy or rent.

Let's Fix South Africa – ActionSA 2026 Local Government Election Manifesto ↗, p. 56, 'A municipality that leaves no community behind'. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

ACDPClear the housing backlog with affordable, mixed-income homes through community-owned self-help schemes.

The ACDP promises to clear the housing backlog. This is the list of people still waiting for a home. It would push for housing that people can afford, and inclusionary housing. Inclusionary housing mixes homes for people with different pay. Communities would own the self-help schemes used to do this.

ACDP Manifesto: 2026 Local Government Elections (Vote for the South Africa You Deserve) ↗, p. 5, "Access To Housing". Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

ANCSupport social and affordable housing, and reclaim hijacked buildings.

The ANC promises to support social housing and homes people can afford. It also promises to take back hijacked buildings. These are buildings that were taken over against the law. They would be used for housing and for the community.

ANC 2026 Local Government Manifesto ↗, p. 22, Action One (hijacked buildings: p. 34, Action Three). Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

AMMRelease well-located land for homes and connect it to basic services.

The AMM promises to release well-located land for homes. It promises to connect that land to water, sanitation, power, roads, stormwater drains and waste services.

PRESIDENTIAL MANIFESTO LAUNCH SPEECH JOBS, WATER AND SERVICE DELIVERY NOW! TOTAL FREEDOM AND EMANCIPATION NOW! ↗, Page 31, paragraph 111, "STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA 4 LAND". Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

BOSARelease or develop every usable public plot within 24 months, housing first.

BOSA promises to use publicly owned land for housing near jobs and transport. It would release, reuse or build on every usable plot within 24 months. This would follow a land audit (a check of all this land) in its first 90 days.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANIFESTO 2026 ↗, PDF p.13, 'Housing: Land, Dignity, and a Roof That Lasts'. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

DARelease unused state-owned land for housing.

The DA promises that (Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.) would release land owned by the state, but not in use, so homes can be built on it. It says DA-led councils would work with the national public works department, provincial governments and other public land owners. The aim is to free up land in good locations for affordable housing.

Getting South Africa Working for All: Local Government Manifesto 2026 ↗, p. 47, The DA is committed to ensuring fair and transparent housing delivery that empowers residents through ownership by:. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

EFFUse plans with set deadlines that aim to clear housing backlogs.

The EFF promises housing plans that each have a deadline, with the aim of clearing the housing backlog. A housing backlog is the number of people still waiting for a house.

2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto ↗, p. 45. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

GOODMake new well-located developments include a set share of affordable homes.

GOOD promises to make new developments in well-located areas include a set share of affordable homes. Its Cape Town plan says developers would provide these homes in return for extra building rights. It says the share would be enforceable, which means the City could make developers keep to it.

Cape Town, On the Same Standard ↗, 2. A Housed City, The GOOD Way Forward. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

IFPWork on housing backlogs and support redeveloping hostels.

The IFP promises to work on housing backlogs. These are the people still waiting for homes. It also promises to support the redevelopment of hostels.

Local Government Elections Manifesto 2026 ↗, p. 12, 02, 'Housing and dignity'. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

PACUse land for housing, schools, clinics and small businesses.

The PAC promises to use land for housing, schools, clinics and small businesses. The Citizen reports PAC leader Mzwanele Nyhontso said repossessed land, which means land taken back, should benefit South Africans in need. He also wants land to bring jobs and business opportunities closer to where people live.

PAC president warns Joburg's residents not to vote for Zille ↗, Section "Land" (reporter's summary of the speech). Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

PARequire affordable or social housing when good council land is released.

The PA promises that when good (Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.) land is released for building, it must include affordable or social housing. Municipal land is land the council owns. Social housing is rental housing for people on low incomes.

PA promises debt write-offs and a 3-month rates holiday ↗, Daily Maverick's summary of the PA manifesto, 'The six big promises'. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

SACPPush for social and affordable homes near work, transport and services.

The SACP promises to push for social and affordable housing in good locations. These homes would be near work, transport and public services.

2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION MANIFESTO ↗, Page 18, "Land for homes, livelihoods and public use". Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

UDMRelease well-located land for housing where possible and give out homes fairly.

The UDM promises to release well-located land for housing where possible. It also promises that houses will be given out fairly and without corruption.

UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT MANIFESTO 2026 - 2026 Local Government Elections ↗, Pillar 5: Housing, land use, and integrated human settlements, items 1-2, p. 7. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

We found no 2026 promise on building houses from these parties yet. A party with no promise here may have none, or may not have published its plans. It is not marked down: ATM, Al Jama-ah, FF+, NCC, Rise Mzansi, MK, UAT.

Not sure which topic matters most? Pick yours and see which parties promised it, with a link to where it said so.

Take the quiz

What have the councils done on informal settlements?

Things a metro council did, did not do or cancelled. Tap one to see the check.

What does each party promise on informal settlements?

Tap a line for the full promise and its source. The order changes on each visit.

ActionSASupport step-by-step upgrades of informal settlements on safe land, and improve services.

ActionSA promises to support upgrading informal settlements where they stand. This is where the land is safe and fit for it.

Let's Fix South Africa – ActionSA 2026 Local Government Election Manifesto ↗, p. 56, 'A municipality that leaves no community behind'. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

ACDPReplace informal settlements with permanent homes instead of temporary shacks.

The ACDP promises to replace informal settlements. It would put permanent homes ahead of temporary shacks.

ACDP Manifesto: 2026 Local Government Elections (Vote for the South Africa You Deserve) ↗, p. 5, "Access To Housing". Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

ANCFinish informal settlement upgrades on time and budget, and add serviced plots.

The ANC promises to finish existing projects to upgrade informal settlements. It promises to do this on time and within budget. It also promises more serviced sites. These are plots with basic services such as water and toilets.

ANC 2026 Local Government Manifesto ↗, p. 22, Action One. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

AMMGive informal settlements short-term water, toilets, power, roads and refuse services.

The AMM promises short-term services in informal settlements. These are water, sanitation, power, roads and refuse. They would run while permanent development goes on.

PRESIDENTIAL MANIFESTO LAUNCH SPEECH JOBS, WATER AND SERVICE DELIVERY NOW! TOTAL FREEDOM AND EMANCIPATION NOW! ↗, Page 28, paragraph 100, "STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA 3 SERVICE DELIVERY AND COMMUNITY SAFETY". Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

Al Jama-ahGive secure land rights, serviced plots and a path to permanent homes.

Al Jama-ah promises that people in informal settlements will get secure, formal rights to their land. It also promises serviced plots and ways to move into permanent homes.

AL JAMA-AH'S NATIONAL MANIFESTO 2026 ↗, Page 3, section 7, "Land Tenure Rights, Title Deeds, and Settlement Upgrading". Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

BOSAReserve minimum budget shares to upgrade informal settlements, townships and rural areas.

BOSA promises to set aside a minimum share of the budget for pipes, roads and power lines. This share would go to three kinds of areas. These are informal settlements, townships and rural areas. It would be used to upgrade them.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANIFESTO 2026 ↗, PDF p.10, 'Restoring Functional, Accountable Municipal Government'. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

DASet up community hotlines to report new informal structures being built.

The DA promises community hotlines where people can report new informal structures being built. This is part of its plan to stop illegal land invasions.

Getting South Africa Working for All: Local Government Manifesto 2026 ↗, p. 48, land invasions list (The DA will take decisive action to prevent illegal land invasions...). Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

EFFChange land rules so informal settlements become formal areas, then upgrade them.

The EFF promises to rezone informal settlements, make them formal and upgrade them. Rezoning changes what the land may be used for.

2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto ↗, p. 45. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

GOODGive informal settlements a secure right to stay, with basic services.

GOOD promises secure tenure for informal settlements where people now live. This means a secure right to stay. It also promises them basic services.

Cape Town, On the Same Standard ↗, 2. A Housed City, The GOOD Way Forward. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

IFPSupport turning informal settlements into formal, planned areas.

The IFP promises to support formalising informal settlements. This means they would become official areas, laid out to a plan.

Local Government Elections Manifesto 2026 ↗, p. 12, 02, 'Housing and dignity'. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

PAUpgrade informal settlements.

The PA promises to upgrade informal settlements. An informal settlement is an area where people built homes without official plans or full services. Daily Maverick says the same section also covers title deed backlogs, and a title deed is the paper that shows who owns a home.

PA promises debt write-offs and a 3-month rates holiday ↗, Daily Maverick's summary of the PA manifesto, '8. A home for everyone'. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

SACPSupport upgrading informal settlements where they are, starting with basic services.

The SACP promises to upgrade informal settlements where they are, where possible. It would start with basic services. These are water, toilets and sewers, power, drains, safe access and rubbish removal. It would also add addresses. And it would add ways to protect homes from fire and floods.

2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION MANIFESTO ↗, Page 18, "Upgrade settlements with people, not against them". Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

UDMUpgrade informal settlements with basic services.

The UDM promises that UDM-led (Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.) would upgrade informal settlements, giving them basic services and dignity. An informal settlement is an area of homes built without official approval. The UDM also says housing should be planned close to jobs, schools, transport and clinics.

UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT MANIFESTO 2026 - 2026 Local Government Elections ↗, Pillar 5: Housing, land use, and integrated human settlements, item 3, p. 7. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

We found no 2026 promise on informal settlements from these parties yet. A party with no promise here may have none, or may not have published its plans. It is not marked down: ATM, FF+, NCC, PAC, Rise Mzansi, MK, UAT.

Not sure which topic matters most? Pick yours and see which parties promised it, with a link to where it said so.

Take the quiz

What have the councils done on title deeds?

Things a metro council did, did not do or cancelled. Tap one to see the check.

We have not checked a council record on title deeds yet.

What does each party promise on title deeds?

Tap a line for the full promise and its source. The order changes on each visit.

ActionSAClear council paperwork backlogs that hold up title deeds.

ActionSA promises to clear the (Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.) paperwork backlogs that stop people who qualify from getting title deeds. A title deed is the paper that shows who owns a home.

Let's Fix South Africa – ActionSA 2026 Local Government Election Manifesto ↗, p. 56, 'A municipality that leaves no community behind'. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

ACDPFast-track township approvals so qualifying people in council homes get title deeds.

The ACDP promises to speed up the proclamation (official legal approval) of townships. This is so that people who qualify and live in (Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.)-owned homes get title deeds sooner. A title deed is the paper that shows who owns a home.

ACDP Manifesto: 2026 Local Government Elections (Vote for the South Africa You Deserve) ↗, p. 5, "Access To Housing". Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

ANCHelp with title deed transfers.

The ANC promises to help transfer title deeds. A title deed is the paper that shows who owns a home.

ANC 2026 Local Government Manifesto ↗, p. 22, Action One. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

Al Jama-ahSpeed up title deeds, with targets every three months and online tracking.

Al Jama-ah promises to hand out title deeds faster. It promises to publish targets every three months and let the public track progress online.

AL JAMA-AH'S NATIONAL MANIFESTO 2026 ↗, Page 3, section 7, "Land Tenure Rights, Title Deeds, and Settlement Upgrading". Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

BOSAClear title-deed backlogs and find residents still awaiting RDP houses.

BOSA promises a (Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.) housing task team. It would clear the backlog of title deeds and find residents still waiting for RDP houses.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANIFESTO 2026 ↗, PDF p.13, 'Housing: Land, Dignity, and a Roof That Lasts'. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

DAHand over title deeds for old and new state-subsidised houses.

The DA promises to give out title deeds for houses the state helped pay for, whether built before or new. It says DA-run (Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.) would speed this up by cutting red tape and using an electronic system, working with the Deeds Office. A title deed is the paper that shows who owns a home.

Getting South Africa Working for All: Local Government Manifesto 2026 ↗, p. 47, The DA is committed to ensuring fair and transparent housing delivery that empowers residents through ownership by:. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

EFFSpeed up the issuing of title deeds.

The EFF promises to give out title deeds faster. A title deed is the legal paper that shows who owns a house or a piece of land.

2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto ↗, p. 45 (runs onto p. 46). Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

PATransfer council houses to qualifying long-time tenants and pay the legal costs.

The PA promises to transfer (Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.) houses to long-standing tenants who qualify. This includes people who have lived in them for 20 years. The council would pay the legal costs of the transfer.

PA promises debt write-offs and a 3-month rates holiday ↗, Daily Maverick's summary of the PA manifesto, 'The six big promises'. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

UDMSecure residents' rights to land and homes, and ownership where possible.

The UDM promises tenure security and ownership where the law and practical limits allow. Tenure security means that a person's right to keep living on their land or in their home is protected.

UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT MANIFESTO 2026 - 2026 Local Government Elections ↗, Pillar 5: Housing, land use, and integrated human settlements, item 10, p. 7. Party material: it shows what was promised, not what was done.

We found no 2026 promise on title deeds from these parties yet. A party with no promise here may have none, or may not have published its plans. It is not marked down: ATM, AMM, FF+, GOOD, IFP, NCC, PAC, Rise Mzansi, SACP, MK, UAT.

Not sure which topic matters most? Pick yours and see which parties promised it, with a link to where it said so.

Take the quiz