First Home Finance Calculator

What is First Home Finance (formerly FLISP)?

First Home Finance is a once-off, non-repayable government subsidy run by the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) and the Department of Human Settlements. It was previously known as FLISP — the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme — and was renamed in 2022 to align it with the broader 'First Home Finance' product family the NHFC has built around it. The programme targets the so-called 'gap market' — South Africans who earn too much to qualify for a free RDP/BNG house but too little to comfortably afford a bond on the open market. Eligible applicants receive a grant between R27,960 and R169,264 paid directly to their bank, which the bank applies to reduce the loan principal, serve as a deposit, or bridge a shortfall.

Who qualifies for First Home Finance in 2026?

Seven criteria must all be met: (1) South African citizen or permanent resident with a valid permit; (2) total gross household income between R3,501 and R22,000 per month — combined if married or cohabiting; (3) 18+ years old, OR legally married/divorced; (4) married, cohabiting, or single with financial dependents (single people without dependents do NOT qualify); (5) first-time home buyer who has never owned a residential property; (6) never received any other government housing subsidy (RDP, BNG, or otherwise); (7) has a home loan pre-approval from a bank or NCR-registered lender — pension-backed loans, GEHS employer schemes, and community savings schemes are also accepted.

How much subsidy can I get from First Home Finance?

The subsidy is calculated on a sliding scale: the lower your gross monthly household income, the larger the grant. At R3,501–R3,700/month the subsidy is approximately R121,626. At R22,000/month (the top of the qualifying band) it tapers down to R27,960. The headline maximum of R169,264 published by NHFC applies to the lowest-income applicants with additional qualifying factors such as military veteran status or a person-with-disability designation. Use the calculator above to see the exact estimate for your income, then confirm the final figure with NHFC after they review your documents.

Is there a maximum property price for First Home Finance?

No — the R300,000 property price cap was removed in 2014. You can now buy any formal residential property at any price, provided you can secure a home loan to cover the purchase price minus the subsidy. The subsidy is applied to your loan regardless of the property value. Most successful applicants buy in the R500,000–R1.2 million range because that's what the income band can typically afford on a 20-year bond, but there is no statutory cap on the price of the home you choose.

Do I need to pay back the subsidy?

No. First Home Finance is a once-off, non-repayable grant from the government. It is not a loan and you do not owe anything back to NHFC, DHS, or any other agency. You do still need to repay your home loan to the bank as normal — the subsidy reduces the principal on that loan but does not remove your obligation to service it. The subsidy is paid directly to your bank or financial institution, not to you personally — you will never receive the cash in hand.

How do I apply for First Home Finance?

Five steps: (1) check eligibility for free at fhf.nhfc.co.za — no registration needed; (2) get a home loan pre-approval from a bank or accredited lender; (3) find your property — any residential property on the open market or from a FHF-accredited development; (4) submit your application online at fhf.nhfc.co.za, at your provincial Department of Human Settlements office, or through your bank or estate agent; (5) wait roughly 7 working days for processing — once approved, NHFC pays the subsidy directly to your bank. Applying is free. If anyone asks you for a fee to 'unlock' or 'process' your application, it's a scam — report it to NHFC at 010 085 2199.

Can I apply for First Home Finance after I've already bought a house?

Sometimes. If your property was transferred into your name from 1 April 2012, 1 April 2014, or 28 July 2018 onwards (the policy revision dates) and you met all FHF criteria at the time of purchase, you may be able to apply retroactively. Some provinces also accept applications within 12 months of purchase regardless of those dates. Practice varies — contact your provincial Department of Human Settlements to confirm whether retroactive applications are currently accepted in your area before assuming you've missed the window.

Can FHF be combined with the GEHS public-servant housing benefit?

Yes. Since the 2018 policy alignment, government employees enrolled with the Government Employees Housing Scheme (GEHS) Administrator can apply for First Home Finance on top of their employer housing benefit. If you're a public servant, contact your HR department to check your GEHS status before applying. The two programmes serve different functions — GEHS is an ongoing housing allowance that helps with repayments, while FHF is a once-off lump sum that reduces the loan itself — and stack cleanly without disqualifying each other.