Fulltext search Search DONATE Volunteer Support Where we build Impact About us Housing Microfinance Europe, Middle East and Africa Breadcrumb ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY About 97 to 99 percent of people in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to formal financing – credit, savings, mortgages – that will let them start building or improving a home. Traditionally, they build home gradually as their resources allow. These families cannot afford a long-term, traditional mortgage. They build in stages – creating a makeshift shelter and eventually replacing it with permanent materials and expanding it. How does housing microfinance work? Housing microfinance loans have relatively short repayment periods, small amounts, and little or no collateral required. Typically, families use them for roof reconstruction, adding toilets and running water, installing heating and improving insulation. Habitat does not issue microfinance loans itself but collaborates with partner microfinance institutions. While partners provide loans, Habitat helps partners to develop housing loans, provides trainings to homeowners on managing their loans, and offer construction assistance. Where does housing microfinance work? In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Habitat for Humanity through its Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter is providing technical assistance to six leading financial institutions in Uganda and Kenya to develop housing microfinance products and services to serve people living on less than US$5 per day. The “Building Assets, Unlocking Access” project has helped more than 70,000 families in Uganda and Kenya access loans to secure adequate housing and improve their living conditions. Moreover, US$50 million in capital has been mobilized for the advancement of incremental housing microfinance loans across the two countries. Building Assets, Unlocking Access in Kenya and Uganda. Additional resources: Building the Business Case for Housing Microfinance: Sub-Saharan Africa This publication looks at the demand for housing microfinance, its value proposition and the competitive advantage of differentiated housing microfinance products. It identifies factors key to the success and profitability of housing microfinance products, based on analysis of the work of Uganda’s Centenary Bank and Kenya Women Microfinance Bank. Maintaining a Healthy Portfolio Through Proactive Loan Delinquency Management A microfinance institution’s biggest and most important asset is its loan portfolio. Keeping the portfolio healthy is essential to reaching and maintaining profitability. This brief explain why it is important to conduct loan delinquency management trainings and what should be included in them. Housing Microfinance Clients Profiles in Kenya and Uganda This publication, produced for the Building Assets, Unlocking Access project, offers a snapshot of housing microfinance clients’ demographics, income, living conditions and typical home improvements done with housing microfinance loans. The project is reaching not only informal workers with unsteady incomes but also salaried employees, the income level of at least 76% falls under US$10 per day and at least 39% falls under US$5. Through client stories we see how housing microfinance helps the clients not only to improve their homes but their quality of life. Infographics on housing microfinance in Africa Stories and news SHARE THIS PAGE ON YOUR: How Kenyan women are changing their lives Mrs Muthengi, who is 32, will be hosting Christmas this year for the first time in her life in her own house: “There will be new shoes, new clothes, goat and chicken to eat.” Read more Independent women Gender inequality creates obstacles for many women who want to build their houses and earn an independent living. For them, land-ownership rights are a foundation for an independent life. Read more Our best bet Housing microfinance “is all about being small scale, affordable and lending responsibly. And it is working,” writes Habitat’s Kevin Chetty for the online site Place. Read more Fulltext search Search DONATE Volunteer Support Where we build Impact About us Support Donate Partnerships Contact Us Newsroom Careers Newsletter Privacy policy Terms of service © 2021 Habitat for Humanity® International. All rights reserved. “Habitat for Humanity®” is a registered service mark owned by Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat® is a service mark of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat for Humanity® International is a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Habitat for Humanity uses cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Read about cookies and their benefits in our cookie policy. By closing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device in accordance with our policy unless you have disabled them. Managing cookies Agree and close