Community-led housing in the global South: benefits, blockages and ways forward
The global housing crisis is exacerbated by the commodification of housing and persistent informal settlements. This has prompted communities to take collective action through community-led housing (CLH).
CLHs are collective, non-speculative processes where the residents themselves design, build and manage housing, prioritising social needs over profit. But despite its proven benefits – enhancing quality of life, social inclusion, economic access, environmental sustainability and governance – CLH remains undervalued by policymakers and funders.
This paper examines CLH’s enablers and barriers, advocating for supportive policies, financial access and partnerships to scale CLH as a viable housing solution. It is based on over 100 sources and case studies from Brazil, Nepal, Malawi and Zambia.
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Available at https://www.iied.org/22625iied
