An investment in human settlements is an investment in the future, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

"Habitable and decent settlements promote human dignity and the stability of our communities," Zuma told Premiers and Members of Executive Committees (MECs) at the Presidents Coordinating Council in Pretoria.

The Council was convened to focus specifically on human settlements.

Zuma said that apartheid laws had rendered black people foreigners in urban areas and they were forced to settle in designated locations and temporary residences.

"For those in rural areas they were made to belong to various Bantu stands with no plan to develop roads, transport, electricity, sanitation, running water or any other infrastructure," he said.

He said that the focus on human settlements as a key national priority was to undo this apartheid legacy.

His Cabinet would examine the human settlements delivery agreement and discuss solutions to problems that affect delivery.

Zuma said that all the programmes put in place must ensure they restore the dignity, self-esteem and pride of the people.

"The living conditions have to improve."