Department of Human Settlements

About the Department of Human Settlements

The Department of Human Settlements is the national government department that leads housing policy in South Africa. Its stated aim is to provide decent shelter with basic amenities close to economic opportunities. The department reports that it has delivered nearly 5 million houses, which have benefited more than 20 million people. Its head office, Govan Mbeki House, is in Sunnyside, Pretoria.

The department does not work alone. It coordinates with nine provincial human settlements departments and with municipalities, which carry out much of the day-to-day delivery. Its programmes include subsidised housing, the upgrading of informal settlements and support for first-time home buyers. For example, it runs an online housing services platform and promotes first home finance. Its website also lists vacancies, internships and bursaries in an opportunities area, so it is worth checking regularly.

How the Department of Human Settlements supports students

Housing needs skilled people, so the department offers a scholarship for young people who want to enter the built environment. Funding has been available for studies in architecture or architectural technology, civil engineering, and construction management. It has also covered geographical information systems, quantity, land or building surveying, and town and regional planning. These fields line up closely with the work of building and servicing settlements, from surveying land to planning neighbourhoods and designing homes.

The scholarship pays registration and tuition fees. It also covers prescribed textbooks and course materials, as well as residence and meals. However, it does not provide a monthly stipend. It also excludes transport, photocopying, bridging courses, membership fees and laundry. Students therefore need a plan for these smaller costs.

What to know before applying

The programme is aimed at first-time undergraduates. In the 2026 intake, applicants had to be South African citizens with strong Matric results and proven financial need. They also needed an acceptance letter from an accredited South African institution and no earlier tertiary qualification. Documents included a completed form, certified copies of identity documents and Matric results, proof of acceptance, parental information and proof of residence.

Timing is the biggest risk. The 2026 window opened on 22 December 2025 and closed on 7 January 2026. In other words, it lasted only about two weeks over the festive season. Late applications were not considered. Parents and guardians can help by keeping certified copies of identity and income documents ready. Details such as any service obligation after graduation were not confirmed, and criteria may change each year. Provincial human settlements departments also run their own bursaries, which are separate from this national scholarship. Learners in Grade 12 should therefore prepare certified documents early and watch official channels for the next call.