The Housing Development Agency: unlocking land and building partnerships to create inclusive, sustainable cities.
During 2026, the Housing Development Agency (HDA)
accelerated its mission
of transforming human settle-
ments and creating sustain-
able communities that connect
South Africans to opportunities.
Building on the achievement of a clean audit in the 2024/25 financial year and an organisational performance score of 94%, the HDA continued to demonstrate excellence in governance, accountability, and service delivery.
This year also marked a significant evolution in the agency’s role, with the HDA increasingly positioning itself as a developer of strategic urban assets.
Key achievements include the launch of landmark state-owned properties such as the former SABC building in Sea Point, Cape Town, and the Eskom building in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. These strategically located sites present a unique opportunity to develop affordable, mixed-use precincts closer to jobs, transport networks, educational facilities, and social amenities.
Through the launch of the HDA Investment Focus 2026/27 Booklet, the agency is showcasing development opportunities valued at more than R1 billion, creating new opportunities for private sector participation in affordable housing,
urban regeneration, and infrastructure development.
Access the Booklet by scanning the QR code or visit www.thehda.co.za.
Beyond housing, the HDA continues to deliver transformative projects that improve access to services, stimulate local economies, create jobs, and enhance the quality of life of thousands of South Africans.
“The HDA’s work is important because human settlements is about far more than housing. It is about providing dignity, opportunity, and access to economic participation,” says Bheki Khenisa, the HDA’s Chief Executive Officer.
“South Africa continues to grapple
with spatial inequality, where many communities remain far from economic opportunities and essential services.
By working with provinces, municipa-
lities, and other stakeholders, the
HDA addresses this challenge by identifying, acquiring, and preparing well-located
land for development while supporting integrated human settlements that connect people to jobs, education, and public services.”
One of the biggest challenges facing the HDA is the pressure on public sector budgets, which can affect the pace and scale of development projects. In addition, human settlements projects often require lengthy processes involving land acquisition, approvals, infrastructure coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
The HDA has responded to these challenges by strengthening governance, improving project planning, and building stronger partnerships across government and the private sector.
“The achievement of an improved organisational performance reflects our focus on efficiency, accountability, and delivering value despite constrained resources,” Khenisa adds.
“Increasing collaboration with investors and development partners is also helping the agency unlock new opportunities and accelerate implementation.”
Partnerships are key
Delivering sustainable human settle-
ments requires the collective efforts of
government institutions, communities, investors, developers, financiers, utilities, and civil society organisations. No
single organisation can achieve meaningful spatial transformation alone.
Over the years, these collaborative partnerships enabled flagship programmes such as the N2 Gateway, Zanemvula, Vista Park, the Asbestos Roof Eradication Programme, major informal settlement upgrading initiatives, and critical infrastructure projects across the country.
As the HDA continues to expand its role as a developer of strategic urban assets, partnerships with the private sector will become increasingly important.
By combining public sector objectives with private sector expertise, innovation, and investment, the agency can unlock larger-scale development opportunities that create lasting social and economic value.
“Partnerships are the cornerstone of the HDA’s success,” Khenisa shares.
“These partnerships also enable the HDA to deliver solutions that go beyond
housing construction. We leverage these partnerships across various provinces in the country.
“A good example are the projects we delivered thus far in partnership with the various spheres of government. This includes housing programmes, Asbestos Removal Projects, Title Deeds Restoration Programme Serviced Stands, provision of top structures, and any other engineering support we can provide to government.”
This collaborative approach allows
the HDA to deliver integrated human settlements that combine housing, infra-structure, tenure security, and eco-
nomic opportunities, creating sustainable communities where people can live,
work, and thrive.
The HDA is also advancing several investment projects that are expected to play a key role in urban regeneration and affordable housing delivery.
Among the most significant are
the redevelopment opportunities in Sea Point, Braamfontein, and Strand. These strategically located properties have
the potential to support affordable and mixed-use developments that bring people closer to economic opportunities.
The anticipated benefits include increased housing supply, job creation, greater private sector investment, revitalised urban precincts, and improved spatial integration.
The HDA as a catalyst for change
As a project implementing agent for the government and a developer, the HDA plays a major role because it operates at the intersection of land, housing, infrastructure, and spatial transformation.
By unlocking strategic land, facilitating development, and building partnerships,
the agency creates opportunities for economic growth, urban regeneration,
and social inclusion. The HDA helps
bridge the gap between government priorities, community needs, and private sector investment.
Ultimately, the HDA seeks to help build more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous communities where all South Africans can live with dignity and access opportunities for growth and development.
“The HDA of today is a transformed, capable, and results driven organisation. We strengthened our systems, enhanced our expertise, and sharpened our focus on delivery.
“Whether you are a municipality, provincial government, investor, developer, or strategic partner, we invite you to work with us. Drawing on extensive experience gained through the implementation of some of the largest and most complex human settlements projects across the country, the HDA is uniquely positioned to support and accelerate the development of sustainable human settlements at scale.
“Our proven track record, technical expertise, and national footprint enable
us to deliver solutions that create
lasting impact and meaningful change in communities across South Africa,” Khenisa concludes.