Housing Secretariat (Bogotá) subsidy: how to apply step by step

Last updated: June 2026

Yaneth has been renting in Bosa for six years and always believed that housing subsidies were only available from the national government. One afternoon, during a talk at her community kitchen, she learned that the Bogotá Mayor's Office also offers its own housing assistance program. That same week, she started saving to apply. Like her, many families in Bogotá are unaware that the Subsidy from the Bogotá Housing Secretariat It exists and, in several cases, can be added to the national subsidy.

In short: the District Secretariat of Housing is the Bogotá Mayor's Office agency that provides assistance to help families in the city buy, improve, or rent decent housing. Today, this assistance is grouped under the plan My House in Bogotá, You can apply online through the District's official portal. Here we explain what programs are available, who can apply, and how to take the first step without intermediaries.

What is the subsidy from the Bogotá Habitat Secretariat?

This is a district-level financial aid program, separate from the national subsidy, aimed at households that live or work in Bogotá and do not own their own home or need to improve their existing one. The Housing Secretariat is the city government department responsible for housing policy, so this subsidy comes from district funds, not national ones.

That has a concrete advantage for your wallet. In many cases, Subsidy from the Bogotá Housing Secretariat It can be combined with the national government subsidy and the one from your compensation fund, which is called concurrent subsidies. If you want to understand the full range of aid available before applying, you can read our guide on the housing subsidies in Colombia.

What programs does the Mi Casa plan offer in Bogotá?

The District reorganized its aid programs into several lines, each addressing a different stage in a family's life. These are the programs that currently make up the plan.

• Joint Temporary Lease. Support to pay rent for vulnerable households while they stabilize.
• Saving for my house. Combine your scheduled savings to accumulate the down payment for your home.
• Improve your home. To fix, expand or make safer the home you already own.
• Preferred Offer. It connects families with social and priority housing projects in the city.
• Reactivate your purchase and reduce your fee. Support designed to help you close the purchase or lower the value of the monthly payment.

Not all programs are open at the same time. The Secretariat opens applications for each program, with specific dates and quotas, so the first useful habit is to check which ones are currently accepting applications.

Who can apply for the Habitat subsidy in Bogotá?

The conditions vary depending on the program, but there's a common minimum amount that's almost always the same. Keep that in mind before you start dreaming about the amount.

• Be of legal age and form a household (alone or with your family).
• Live or have roots in Bogotá, as required by the call for applications.
• Not owning another home, in most cases.
• Being classified in the Sisbén within the groups prioritized by the District.
• Not having previously received a housing subsidy that is incompatible.

If you're looking for a new home, it's good to know What is social housing?, Because most of these subsidies are allocated to those types of projects. And if your goal is to fix up your current house, look at the [unclear - possibly "programs" or "programs"] first. home improvement requirements to arrive with the paperwork ready.

How to apply step by step?

The process is online and free. No one should charge you to register or promise you a guaranteed spot in exchange for money.

• Identify the open call. Go to the official website and see which program is accepting applications and until when.
• Check the requirements of that program. Each line has its own rules; read them completely before starting.
• Gather your documents. ID card, household data and Sisbén information are usually the basis.
• Register on the application portal. The District receives applications through its unique online system.
• Follow up. Keep your application receipt and check the results of the call for applications on the dates they announce.

One helpful detail: the district subsidy is often considered a supplement. Therefore, it's worth reviewing the [other subsidies] in parallel. housing subsidy from compensation fund and the requirements of the national program Mi Casa Ya, to put together the complete puzzle and not leave any money on the table.

Where can I verify official information?

The District's calls for applications, amounts, and dates change every year, so never rely on a WhatsApp chain message or a fixer. Consult the official website directly. District Secretariat of Habitat, where the My Home in Bogotá plan is located, with each program explained. Applications are submitted through the entity's single system, at suav.habitatbogota.gov.co. Deciding using the official source on screen is the best way to avoid wasting time and money.

Table: programs of the My Home plan in Bogotá

The District organizes its aid programs into several categories, each addressing a different need. Not all programs are open at the same time, so check which ones are accepting applications today.

Program	What is it for?	Who is it aimed at?
Joint Temporary Lease	Rent assistance	Vulnerable households that stabilize
Saving for my house	Complement your scheduled savings	Families that meet the initial fee
Improve your home	Repair, expand, or make the home safer	Someone who already owns a home and wants to improve it.
Preferred Offer	Connect with VIS and VIP projects	Families buying new homes
Reactivate your purchase and reduce your installment	Complete the purchase or lower the monthly payment	Homes in the process of being purchased

Current lines of the Mi Casa plan in Bogotá. Calls for applications, amounts, and requirements change each year; check which ones are open on the District Secretariat of Housing's website.

Common mistakes when completing this procedure

• Applying without reading the line's regulations. Each program has its own rules; read them completely before starting.
• Having an outdated Sisbén. Most lines prioritize certain groups in the Sisbén; keep the survey up to date.
• Trusting a fixer. The application process is free and online; no one should charge you to "secure" a spot.

Frequently asked questions about the Habitat subsidy in Bogotá

Can the subsidy from the Secretariat of Habitat be added to the national one?

In many cases, yes. Multiple subsidies allow you to combine contributions from the district, the national government, and the compensation fund, provided each program allows it. Check the rules of each call for applications, as some forms of support are incompatible with each other.

Do I need to be registered in the Sisbén system to apply?

For most lines, yes. The District prioritizes households classified in certain Sisbén groups. Having an updated and current survey is key before applying, because that score usually determines whether or not you qualify for the target population.

Is the subsidy only valid for buying a new house?

No. The Mi Casa program in Bogotá offers options for buying a home, improving your existing home, and even providing temporary rental assistance. Choose the program that best suits your needs, not just the one that sounds the most appealing.

Do I have to pay someone to process my subsidy application?

No. Applying is free and is done directly through the District's official channels. If someone asks you for money to "guarantee" you a spot, it's a scam: no official guarantees the subsidy in exchange for payment.

How Hepacom accompanies you

At the Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation, we often see families in Bogotá give up before even starting because the process sounds complicated or because someone discouraged them. The truth is, the Habitat subsidy exists precisely for working households like yours, and often all that's needed is someone to calmly explain where to begin.

We help you understand which program is right for you, organize your Sisbén documents, and identify other subsidies you could qualify for to get closer to decent housing. Find more guides on housing and rights in our blog, Discover all our work in the Hepacom homepage And if you need guidance, write to us at donaciones@hepacom.org.

Information guide. The official entity handles the process. Check the current calls for proposals, amounts, and requirements on the official channel before making any decisions. Hepacom does not charge for or manage subsidies or procedures.