Housing Finance For The Bottom Of The Pyramid

Two thirds of the world’s emerging market population subsist with inadequate housing. 
(James Magowan, Global Urban Development Magazine, November 2008)

That equates to 4 billion people.  4 billion people who spend more than $400 billion annually on housing.

With this number in mind, it is perhaps no surprise that there are now a plethora of international examples of promising and already successful affordable housing solutions that provide both new homes and home improvement solutions for the urban poor.  These solutions are provided by a diverse group of players from MFIs to real estate developers and local building retailers to credit unions.

At the end of June this year, all the key stakeholders involved in delivering these products will come together to thrash out the current barriers to scaling up housing finance at the Bottom of the Pyramid and what solutions are available to encourage and maintain growth.