Housing Microfinance

Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, income levels are such that most households cannot afford to buy the least expensive house, even if mortgage finance was readily available. Instead, many households build their housing incrementally, step-by-step, room-by-room. With access to housing microfinance, at longer terms and lower rates than traditional consumer loans, households can undertake the process of building their housing over a shorter time period and end up with a better quality home. To support increased housing microfinance lending, the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF) has undertaken various research initiatives to understand the sector, highlight innovation, and provide recommendations for attention by financial institutions, impact investors and policy makers. Our work is focused increasing access to housing microfinance for households, with more players supported by more investors, reaching more clients more affordably.