National Housing Finance Corporation (managing FLISP for the Dept. of Human Settlements)
FLISP (First Home Finance)
At a glance
Who qualifies
- South African citizen or permanent resident with a valid ID
- Aged 18 or older, single or married, with dependants (spouse, children, or extended family)
- Combined household income between R3,501 and R22,000 per month
- Never previously received a government housing subsidy
- Purchasing your first home or building on a serviced stand
- Pre-approved for a home loan (or intending to build with own funds / building loan)
Who does not qualify
- Household income below R3,501 (apply for RDP / BNG housing) or above R22,000 per month
- Previously received any government housing subsidy
- Not a first-time home buyer
- No financial dependants
- Non-residents
Documents you bring
- Certified copy of your 13-digit ID (and spouse's ID if married)
- Certified marriage certificate or affidavit of cohabitation (if applicable)
- 3 latest payslips (both spouses if married)
- 3 months' bank statements
- Home-loan pre-approval letter or grant approval from a bank
- Offer to purchase or building contract
- Proof of dependants (birth certificates for children)
The subsidy is paid on transfer directly to the conveyancer or bank. It reduces the bond amount you need or lowers your monthly repayment. It is never paid into your personal account.
How to apply
- Confirm your gross monthly household income falls between R3,501 and R22,000.
- Get a home-loan pre-approval from any registered bank (or use First Home Finance's own bond calculator).
- Find a property or building project priced within the NHFC cap for your area.
- Sign an offer to purchase (subject to bond approval and FLISP subsidy).
- Complete the FLISP application on fhf.nhfc.co.za and upload documents.
- NHFC verifies your income, dependants, first-time buyer status, and property valuation (3 to 8 weeks).
- On approval, NHFC issues a subsidy approval letter to your conveyancer. Subsidy is paid at transfer.
Some banks (Standard Bank, FNB, ABSA, Nedbank) can lodge the FLISP application on your behalf as part of the home-loan process. Ask before starting your own application.
Let your bank lodge FLISP for you
Standard Bank, FNB, ABSA, and Nedbank can submit the FLISP application on your behalf as part of the home-loan approval, at no extra cost. This is faster than the DIY portal because your income proof, dependants, and property valuation are already in the bank's file. Ask specifically for "FLISP support" when you apply for the bond; not every branch consultant will mention it.