Infrastructure

1. The Department does not apply a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather implements a programmatic, prioritisation-based approach, comprising a basket of interventions informed by the Informal Settlement Support Programme (ISSP) and inputs from municipalities. In this regard, the Department offers a range of complementary interventions to address the challenges of informal settlements. These interventions are applied based on settlement conditions, associated risks, and development potential, and include, inter alia, interim basic services, re-blocking, super-blocking, bulk infrastructure investment, and the provision of permanent one-to-one serviced sites.

2. In the context of Project Readiness, which is linked to bulk availability, decanting sites, community dynamics and profile, the Department adopts various strategies to prioritise projects for informal settlement upgrading intervention. In the current 2026/27 financial year, the budget can be summarised as per the table below:

The budget for the 2026/27 financial year is allocated across selected municipalities in the Western Cape, informed by project readiness, the availability of bulk infrastructure, and alignment with the Department’s informal settlement upgrading priorities. Allocations are further guided by the need to ensure equitable distribution of resources, while focusing on settlements with the greatest need and potential for sustainable upgrading interventions. Accordingly, the budget is distributed across the following municipalities:

1. Breede Valley
2. Drakenstein
3. Langeberg
4. Stellenbosch
5. Cape Agulhas
6. Overstrand
7. Swellendam
8. Theewaterskloof
9. Prince Albert
10. Bitou
11. George
12. Mossel Bay
13. Oudtshoorn
14. Cederberg
15. Saldanha Bay
16. Swartland