Colsubsidio housing subsidy: requirements, amounts and how to apply

Last updated: July 2026

Colsubsidio not only subsidizes new homes: it also subsidizes used homes, home improvements, and even rent while you find your own place. Many affiliated families let the Colsubsidio housing subsidy Because they think it's only for buying a new apartment, or because they don't meet a membership requirement that can be arranged in advance. Here's the complete process, with what Colsubsidio officially publishes and without made-up amounts.

We are Hepacom, the Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation (NIT 900.841.914-1), and we work for the right to decent housing. We are not Colsubsidio, nor do we manage their subsidy: we explain how it works so that you arrive at the window knowing what they will ask for and in what order.

What is the Colsubsidio housing subsidy and who can benefit from it?

It's a cash contribution that the compensation fund provides to affiliated households to buy, improve, or pay the rent on their social housing. It's non-repayable. It comes from the parafiscal contributions made by your employer—or by you, if you're a self-employed affiliate—so it's not a gift from the bank: it's a benefit you're entitled to if you meet the requirements.

One key piece of information before we continue: Colsubsidio operates in Bogotá and Cundinamarca, where it concentrates its more than eighty housing projects. If your family lives in Antioquia, in the southern Aburrá Valley, or in another region, the mechanism is the same, but the corresponding fund is different, and the amounts and schedules are set by each one. If you want to compare them, we have the details at how much does each compensation fund give?, and the deep-dive of the neighbor box in Compensar housing subsidy.

What are the requirements to apply?

Colsubsidio publishes these conditions for the applicant household:

• Be affiliated with Colsubsidio as a contributing worker, pensioner who contributes the 2% on their monthly pension, or self-employed person who contributes the 2% on their income.
• That they household income does not exceed four current legal monthly minimum wages for the purchase of housing (for the rental subsidy the limit drops to two minimum wages).
• That none of the people in the household own or possess a home within the national territory.
• That no member has previously received a family housing subsidy.
• Form a household (spouses, permanent partners or relatives) or apply as a single-person household.
• For the rental subsidy, Furthermore, having a minimum seniority of six months as an affiliate.

This income threshold intersects with the membership category. The Superintendency of Family Subsidies defines it as follows, verbatim: «"Category A. Up to two current legal monthly minimum wages. Category B. More than two and up to four current legal monthly minimum wages. Category C. More than four current legal monthly minimum wages."» In practice, households in categories A and B are the ones that qualify for the housing subsidy; those in category C are excluded from the income cap.

How much is the Colsubsidio housing subsidy and what options does it have?

Colsubsidio offers several loan options, which is a key difference from the common misconception that it "only works for new housing." The purchase loan amount depends on your income bracket and complements the national subsidy, while the rental loan has a fixed minimum wage. These are the different types, all in one place:

Prepared by Hepacom using information published by Colsubsidio on its housing subsidy websites and by the Superintendency of Family Subsidies. Purchase amounts depend on income category and are adjusted annually according to the minimum wage; we do not publish the exact amount in pesos for the current period because it varies and depends on each individual case. Always verify the current amount on Colsubsidio's official channels. Last updated: July 2026.

Common mistakes when applying for the Colsubsidio housing subsidy

• Failure to meet the minimum membership period: The rental subsidy requires at least six months of membership. If you recently joined and are still applying, the system will reject you. This requirement is being enforced through waiting, not arguing.
• Believing that it only covers new housing: Colsubsidio also subsidizes used housing. Many families dismiss a used house that would be suitable for them because no one told them it qualified for the subsidy.
• Skipping the first phase of the process: The process has two stages—first the form and preliminary assignment, then the documentation for review and approval. Submitting the paperwork without the preliminary assignment is putting the cart before the horse.

How to apply for the Colsubsidio housing subsidy step by step?

The application process is two-phase: first, the form is completed and a preliminary assignment is obtained, and then the documentation is submitted for review and final approval. This two-step logic is what confuses the first person to ask for it, so it's best to understand it clearly from the start.

The route, in order:

1. Check your membership and seniority. You must be affiliated and up to date with your contributions; for rentals, at least six months of seniority.
2. I chose the option depending on what you're going to do: buy new, buy used, improve the one you have, or cover the rent in the meantime.
3. Fill out the registration form and obtain the preliminary subsidy allocation through the official Colsubsidio channel.
4. Gather and submit the documents: Identity of the adults in the household, current employment certification, credit or contract support according to the modality and proof of your own resources (savings or severance pay).
5. Wait for the study and approval and check the result in the box allocation section.

If you're going to use your severance pay as part of your savings, first check the rules of severance pay to buy a home, Because withdrawals have their own procedures and processing times with the fund. And if what you need right now is to cover rent, check how the [unclear] works. rental subsidy in Colombia.

Can it be combined with Mi Casa Ya or other subsidies?

Yes, with rules. The social security subsidy can be combined with the national subsidy, but each program defines which programs it can be combined with and under what conditions, and this overlap is what generates the most objections. Before receiving two forms of assistance simultaneously, review the... Mi Casa Ya requirements and how it works concurrence of housing subsidies, and confirm it with the bank and with the entity of the other program.

And if you're still trying to understand the general mechanism before tackling a specific box, start with How does the housing subsidy from the compensation fund work?.

How Hepacom accompanies you

We support families who approach these processes afraid to ask questions and with the feeling that the paperwork is designed to discourage them. If you're putting together your application and don't know where to start, write to us at donaciones@hepacom.org or from contact usWe offer free guidance on what to check and what to ask at your compensation fund, whether it's Colsubsidio or the one corresponding to your department. Access to decent housing shouldn't depend on knowing the correct order for submitting paperwork. However, the compensation fund is responsible for reviewing, allocating, and distributing the subsidy. Hepacom does not charge fees, manage paperwork, or receive payments for this service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do I need to earn to qualify for the Colsubsidio housing subsidy?
To purchase a home, household income must be equal to or less than four current monthly legal minimum wages (categories A and B). For the rental subsidy, the limit drops to two minimum wages.

Does Colsubsidio offer subsidies for used housing?
Yes. Contrary to popular belief, Colsubsidio subsidizes both new and used social housing, as well as home improvements and rentals. Choosing the right option is part of the process.

How long does the rental subsidy last and how much is it?
It is up to 60% of a monthly minimum wage and can be received for up to twenty-four months, provided that the rent of the property does not exceed the limits per zone set by the fund and that you have at least six months of affiliation.

Does it work if I live outside of Bogotá?
Colsubsidio covers Bogotá and Cundinamarca. If you live in another region, look for the compensation fund you are affiliated with there: the mechanism and general requirements are similar, but the amounts and schedules are defined by each fund.

Last updated: July 2026. Information guide. The procedure is carried out by the official entity. Sources: Colsubsidio — housing subsidies y Superintendency of Family Subsidies. Amounts, requirements, and schedules change depending on the validity period: always check with your bank's official channel. Hepacom does not collect or manage payments or procedures.