Housing Investment Chronicles

This project titled Housing Investment Chronicles addresses the critical issue of housing affordability for low and middle-income households across Africa, where the majority struggle to access formal housing finance options due to their limited incomes. Traditional approaches to understanding affordability often rely on high-level income data from the formal sector, which fails to capture the reality of many households engaged in informal, non-declarable income activities. To fill this gap, the project aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of household-level investment in housing by examining the assets, networks, and strategies households employ to secure land and build their homes. By conducting household surveys and collecting stories from various locations such as Uganda, Mozambique, Cameroon, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire, the project seeks to inform evidence-based policy-making and financial product development to address the challenges faced by households in accessing housing.

Through qualitative research methods inspired by initiatives like the Financial Diaries, the project delves into the housing investment journeys of low and middle-income households. By understanding the complexities of land acquisition, time investment, financial instruments, and resources utilised by these households, the project aims to provide valuable insights into the policy, market, and regulatory contexts shaping housing decisions. The ultimate goal is to inform policies and financial products that are more responsive to the needs of households, facilitating greater access to affordable housing across Africa. The project's findings are disseminated through comprehensive reports and executive summaries, ensuring accessibility to stakeholders involved in housing development and policymaking.

Abstract based directly on source.