How can Sub-Saharan Africa consolidate inclusive housing finance development? Conventional urban economic approaches have had limited success for housing finance throughout the region. Community-based funds are a possible alternative to expand accessible and affordable financial services towards meeting the housing needs for lower-income and slum dwellers. We probe this approach using qualitative content analysis and quantitative data assessment methodologies, and analyse the unparalleled development of Kenya’s financial cooperative societies, commonly referred to as savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs). The article finds SACCOs are positioned to promote access to affordable housing finance in Kenya. The Kenyan experience with SACCOs has many commonalities with other countries in the region and can inform African policymakers seeking to strengthen their financial sector, especially in terms of housing credit.

References are not ready for this file yet, please refer to reference from the PDF file

Keywords

Community saving,Affordable housing finance,Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs),Credit unions, Kenya,Africa