The Western Cape Department of Local Government and Housing's Isidima Strategy is intended to contribute towards the creation of sustainable human settlements in the Western Cape. The strategy is a much-needed advance on the previous narrow technocratic focus on building RDP houses. The six key components of the strategy are discussed below, with a brief overview of the department's progress in laying the foundations for the implementation of the strategy. Three key issues are highlighted: the importance of developing a more nuanced understanding of housing need, developing new imaginaries of what sustainable human settlements are, and the need to mobilise additional financial resources for an increased level of delivery.