The mission of the Department is to transform human settlements into liveable neighbourhoods through integrated human settlements programmes in areas with major economic opportunities and empowerment of all designated groups.

The Department recognises infrastructure development as a fundamental driver to accelerate the country’s economic recovery. This, together with implementing interventions to create sustainable jobs and promote inclusive growth as well as building a capable, ethical and developmental state, ensures that the Department positively contributes to the promotion of an inclusive and equal society. In response to the current socio-economic environment, the upgrading of informal settlements and provision of permanent services as well as social/rental and community residential units, fast tracking of the Title Deeds Restoration Programme and upscaling of the Serviced Sites Programme remain key priority areas for the Department. The availability of land for self-build projects is also a key intervention to assist those who can afford to build their own homes.