People often ask how they can put their names on the housing waiting list. Many of these people are new arrivals in the urban areas or young people who do not yet have a house and may be newly married. They may also be people who used to live with their parents and who now want to live on their own with their families. However, due to the big housing backlog, not everyone who wants to get a house can get one immediately. People who earn enough money to buy a house can go to the bank and take a loan and buy a house without the support of the government. But if you earn less than R3 500 per month and you qualify in all the other ways listed above, then you can apply to get government assistance to get a house.

Local government is responsible for the delivery of housing and most local governments have housing departments. You can put your name on the waiting list at the housing department of the local council offices. Many municipalities have set up help desks to assist families with housing problems.