CHF International in AfricaA History of Achievements

BotswanaBurundiCameroonChadCongoCote d’IvoireEgyptEritrea*

Ethiopia*GabonGhanaGuineaGuyanaIvory CoastKenya*Lesotho

Liberia*MalawiMalí*MoroccoMozambiqueNamibiaNígerRwanda

Sao TomeSenegal*Sierra LeoneSomaliaSouth Africa*Sudan*SwazilandTanzania

TogoTunisiaUgandaZaireZimbabwe

*recent activities (fiscal2003 to present)

Countries Reached, 1952-2004

Schoolchildren at the completed Rashed Community Center, EgyptConstruction of the Rashed Community Center, Egypt

BotswanaBeginning in 1978, CHF International has played a major rolein the development of Botswana’s housing programs. Wewere the primary advisors when the model Self Help HousingAgency program was established as an innovative vehicle forthe delivery of affordable housing, combining serviced sties,grants in the form of building materials, government assistedconstruction, and self-help labor. An excellent example ofpublic-private partnerships.

CHF International was also responsible for designing andcoordinating the National Housing Policy and Implementationplan for Botswana, the analysis and restructuring ofinstitutions involved in housing delivery, and the developmentof program models. (Funding from The World Bank andUSAID) 1986-1990

Cote D’IvoireImplemented a solid waste and sanitation project in Abidjan(USAID)(1991-1992)

Democratic Republic of the CongoProvided technical assistance to the National Savings andHome Loan Institution as it built 765 houses in Kinshasa.(1974)

Eritrea*CHF International put $20,000 of its own resources towardstwo water supply projects in the villages of Bambi and Tetri inthe Anseba region. (2003-2004)

The Eritrean Self-Help Enhancement Program (E-SHEP) willassist more than 25,000 people in 10 communities within thedrought-affected regions of Anseba and Debub to re-build theinfrastructure in their communities, gain access to safedrinking water, create some immediate employment anddevelop a strategy for combating the drought situation in theimmediate future. E-SHEP uses CHF International’s provencommunity participation methodology to mobilize villages

CHF International in AfricaCountries Reached, 1952-2004

around their most pressing needs, and strengthen the community’sself-reliance. (Ongoing: 2003-2005)

Ethiopia*Conducted the final evaluation of a US $ 7,889,230 Low-IncomeHousing Area Improvement Program (the Lafto project)commissioned by the United Nations Capital Development Fund.(UNCDF)(2001)

Conducted pilot projects and registered field office. (2004)

EgyptAssisted the Ministry of Housing of the Arab Republic of Egypt inthe implementation of a 10-year, $160 million program to providebetter shelter for low income Egyptians. (Ministry of Housing of theArab Republic of Egypt and USAID)(Prior to 1982)

Offered technical assistance for a large scale project to construct anew community and upgrade existing squatter settlements.(USAID)(1980-1988)

Assisted Egypt’s Executive Agency for Joint Projects to providetechnical support to low-income families building houses. Alsoconducted research on the provision of credit for low-incomehousing and issues related to land title and cost recovery.(USAID)(1989)

Conducted research in Egypt on issues related to land title and costrecovery in regulated settlements. (USAID)(1990)

Kenya*Assisted a series of missions in the establishment of the NationalCooperative Housing Union, whose purpose is to sponsor coopera-tive housing programs for workers throughout Kenya. (1982-1990)

Conducted analysis of the credit union system (USAID); designed,tested and produced two training manuals for NACHU.(USAID)(1988)

* denotes most recent activities

Morocco

Facilitated a session on Resource Enhancement of HabitatCredit at Plan International’s Habitat Program Design Work-shop in Nairobi. (1997)

In a program called "Housing Finance for the Poor: Innova-tions and Good Practices from the Field," CHF Internationalassessed CHF International assessed the enabling environ-ment for Housing Microfinance in Kenya and three housingfinance programs in Latin America and Asia. The purpose wasto supply more knowledge and information on how to providethese services more effectively to the urban poor to otherfinancial institutions in the CHF International network andoutside of it. (2001 – 2002)

LesothoA technical service organization (TSO), known as LowerIncome Housing Company (LEHCO-OP), was established toassist in the construction of self-help housing projects. (Priorto 1982)

Developed a national housing policy to address shelterproblems; provided an advisor for merger with LEHCOOP andLHC to form a new housing institute. (World Bank)(1988)

Assisted in the creation of the new Lesotho Housing and LandDevelopment Corporation. (World Bank)(1989)

Provided comprehensive training and advisory services to theDepartment of Housing. (1990)

Offered housing assistance. (World Bank) (1987-1992)

Liberia*Several model infrastructure projects. Supported a localnongovernmental organization doing trauma healing andsupport. Partnered with an NGO to complete a needsassessment of Lofa County. (2004)

MalawiEvaluated Rural Housing Program which led to a proposal toextend the project. (UNCDF)(1988)

Explored approached to using non-conventional housingdevelopment group and conventional self-help housingcooperatives. (Habitat)(1989)

Coordinated a two-week study tour for officials from Malawi’sDepartment of Housing and Physical Planning that included visitsto housing projects for low-income families. (1990)

Malí*CHF International’s goal in Mali is to contribute to the decentraliza-tion process by supporting local initiatives and by offering innova-tive solutions to municipalities looking for ways to improve servicedelivery for their communities. Projects include agriculturaltraining to street children and latrines in three marketplaces inBamako, a fruit and vegetable garden for mothers and classroomconstruction in Gao, and housing to attract teachers in Kati. (2003-2004)

In February 2004, CHF International held two workshops inBamako on local development in Mali/West Africa, with anemphasis on service delivery and municipal finance. (2004)

MoroccoAssisted the Moroccan Ministry of Housing with two residentadvisors in a nation-wide effort to upgrade several squattersettlements by providing water and sewer systems and credit forself-help housing. (USAID)(Prior to 1982)

Conducted a case study as part of a project to examine shelterdevelopment in informal settlements. (USAID)(1990)

MozambiqueReported on income generation and delivery of building materials.(USAID)(1991-1992)

NamibiaEvaluated performance of government institution on housing andcommunity participation in the private sector (UN/habitat)(1991-1992)

Presented a housing workshop in Namibia with the Ministry of LocalGovernment and Housing and the National Housing Enterprise.

Provided assistance directed to the diversification of its housingdelivery system and enhancement of its ability to provide shelter tolow-income citizens. Also assisted the Urban Trust to develop itscapacity to research and advocate reform within the urban sector andto promote policies to aid the working poor. (Urban Trust under grantfrom the Ford Foundation)(1992-1995)

BotswanaEgypt

RwandaAssessed possibilities for cooperative housing (USAID)(1989)

Sao Tome and PrincipeExamined the potential for cooperative housing, assessed thehousing conditions and proposed development of additionalcooperative housing. (1989)

Senegal*Assessed basic infrastructure needs in the Casamance regionfollowing conflict. (2004)

SomaliaDesigned a project to improve housing and related services forlow-income families. (USAID)(1988)

Improved shelter and urban services. (USAID)(1989-1992)

South AfricaPreliminary assessment mission w/goal of identifying support foraffordable housing. (USAID)(1993)

Assist the new South African government to develop a diversifiedhousing delivery system. (USAID)(1994)

Supported the development of cooperative housing and othersimilar approaches to private sector development of affordablehousing. Convened National Workshop on Social and CooperativeHousing in Johannesburg, South Africa. (USAID)(1995-1996)

Making new affordable housing through a model of self-help andlow-cost innovative construction to extend the reach of availablesubsidies. Created a Technical Service Center (TSC), helpingresidents form community housing associations and build basicaffordable shelter. Hosted a round-table discussion on “Women inHousing” for City Council Members in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.(USAID)(1997)

Provided bridge financing for construction for the “Assisted Self-Help” project. Provided technical assistance and facilitatedconstruction. Developed a technique to train teams of local semi-skilled workers to work with family members to build a house.Began working under contract with the municipality to buildsubsidized housing. Initiated the Cooperative DevelopmentProgram. (1996-1998)

Created the Technical Services Center to directly involve thecommunity in projects through Self-Help Housing Construction.Assisted local NGOs and small builders. Helped residents foundthe East London Housing Management Cooperative (ELHMC), thefirst housing management cooperative to register in South Africa.In addition, Provincial Housing Board approved application for 196housing unit subsidies. (1999 -2000)

Introduced Community Entrepreneurship and Business Initiatives(CEBI) to stimulate and strengthen local economic development.(USAID)(2000)

Evaluated a housing loan program for low-income residents.Designed to alleviate housing shortage for the urban poor. VisitingInternational Professional reviewed operational procedures of theEast London (South Africa) Savings and Credit Cooperative,formed by the members of the East London Housing ManagementCooperative. (2001)

Established a partnership with a local bank, and began a creditprogram for individual and group microfinance. Created adatabase for job referral, registering skilled and semi-skilledworkers. (2002)

Through the Cooperative Development Program, trained localpartners to promote cooperative housing initiatives and the deliveryof community services through cooperative methods. (1997-2004)

Developed business and financial capacity of small businessowners in historically disadvantaged communities through theCommunity Entrepreneurship and Business Initiative Program.(2002-2004)

Under the Road to Sustainability program, created a local nongov-ernmental organization called Isandla Partners in Developmentwhich continues the work of the Technical Service Center estab-lished by CHF International. The program had assisted over 1000low-income families to build and own their first homes, mobilizingover $2 million in national housing subsidies. (2002)

SudanLarge-scale initiative to reconstruct housing using improvedconstruction technologies. (The Foster Parents Plan Interna-tional)(1989)

Conference in Malawi. Construction of houses in Malawi.

Continued implementation of the Housing Reconstruction Project,a large-scale project designed to benefit more than 2,000 familieswhose home were damaged or destroyed by heavy storms andfloods. (The Foster Parents Plan International)(1990)

Large-scale reconstruction project near Khartoum rebuilt 160homes that had been washed away by flooding. Office closed dueto political and economic circumstances. (The Foster ParentsPlan International)(1990-1992)

Sudan*In Nuba Mountains, Sudan, implemented five community infra-structure projects in partnership with a local NGO. The projectsinclude community-owned and -managed grinding mills andcommunity centers that will support returnees and women. (2004)

Member of a group of six cooperative organizations lending theirexpertise and experience to USAID’s Sudan Task Force forstrategy development for the reconstruction and rehabilitation ofSouth Sudan. Conducted three assessments in six sites of SouthSudan and transitional areas. (2004)

Carried out assessment activities of community water andsanitation needs, watershed management possibilities, andeconomic development opportunities in Boricha Wareda ofsouthern Ethiopia. (2004)

SwazilandPrepared an Operational Program Grant proposal to assist Swaziconstruction contractors to improve their capability to participate inlocal construction projects including low cost housing. (Prior to1982)

Assessment for Swaziland National Housing Board.(UNDP)(1993)

TanzaniaAssisted with the planning and construction of housing for thenew capital of Dodoma. (United Nations and the Government ofTanzania) (Prior to 1982)

Provided technical assistance for low-cost housing units. (UNDP,UNCDF, Habitat) (1983-1988)

Completed work on a highly successful five-year project to deliver

technical and management advisory services to LCHU (Habitat).(1994-1989)

Invited to make a presentation at a seminar to commemoratethe 10th anniversary of the Centre for Housing Studies. (1989)

TogoCarried out a pre-feasibility study for a collaborative privatesector program of low-cost shelter loans in Togo. (PeaceCorps)(1989)

Carried out a feasibility study for a project to establish a privatesector system of credit and technical services to support thedelivery of shelter to low-income families. (USAID)(1990)

TunisiaIdentified and designed a project for Peace Corps to assist low-income urban families to build better houses and develop theircommunities. (1990)

Prepared a background paper on urban development trendswhich were discussed at a conference held in Tunisia. (1990)

Collaborated with Peace Corps to develop program on urbanself-help construction and community development. (PeaceCorps and USAID)(1990-1992)

Led a study team charged with advising the government ofTunisia on ways to integrate land development and housingfinance systems for low-and middle- income families, in partner-ship with Chemonics. (USAID)

UgandaProvided technical assistance on a feasibility assessment oforganizing a cooperative housing society at a low-cost housingproject. (Habitat) (1988)

Participated as part of a team of visiting cooperative specialists.(USAID)(1989)

ZimbabweDeveloped a project designed to assist the Ministry of Housingwith plans for a $50 million Housing Guaranty Program whichprovided self-help housing for lower income people. (Prior to1982)

Latrines in Egypt.Water for Nkuhungu East site in Tanzania.

Community meeting in Eritrea, 2004.

Housing Officials in Cincinnati, Ohio. (1996)

Participated in a small group discussion on housing issues inSouth Africa which included U.S. Vice President Albert Gore andDeputy President Mbeki of South Africa. (1996)

A delegation from the Social Housing Foundation of South Africavisited Montgomery Country to study affordable housing for low-income families. (2002)

Formed an Alliance against HIV/AIDS in Africa to address thepandemic through holistic community health measures. Alliancemembers include the Pratt Center and American Public HealthAssociation. (2003-Ongoing)

Addressed a regional conference held in Zimbabwe to examinemethods by which African countries could involve NGOs in theirshelter development strategies. (1990)

Multi-Country or US-Based InitiativesDeveloped Shelter-Afrique, a comprehensive strategy fordeveloping cooperative housing in Africa and created a three-year action plan to implement the strategy. (1987-1988)

Presented a paper on grassroots urban projects developmentand participated in a workshop held in the Gambia to explorenew Peace Corps programming options for West and CentralAfrica. (1990)

Made a presentation to officials from the African NationalCongress in Washington, DC. (1991-1992)

Participated in a World Bank sponsored symposium held in theUnited States that focused on environmentally sound strategiesfor infrastructure development in sub-Saharan Africa. (1990)

Presented a paper called, “Low-cost Housing Development forSouth Africa at Howard University’s South African BusinessLeaders Conference. (1991-1992)

Promoted a partnership model for community-based environ-mental improvements at National Council for InternationalHealth’s 20th annual conference in Arlington, VA. Presented“Partnership for a Livable Environment” which used Cote D’Ivoireas an example. (1993)

Presented information about housing development to WorkingGroup on Housing at National Conference in support of theAfrican National Congress and Other Democratic forces for anew South Africa, in New York City. (1992)

Participated in a forum sponsored by AFRICARE in Washington,DC, to allow American experts to share information about variousaspects of democratic governance with ten officials from SouthAfrica and their staff. (1994)

Presentation on “Maximizing Resources for Housing: Coopera-tive Approached in South Africa and Poland” before AnnualConference of the National Association of Rehabilitation and

Cooperatives in Kenya, 1980s.

A note to readersThis document, while meant to be comprehensive, is not all-encompassing. The information was compiled from a thirtyyear report on the higlights of the Cooperative HousingFoundation’s work from 1952-1982, annual reports datingfrom 1988-2002, current program data, and recent pastperformance records. Each project description is meant toprovide only a snapshot of the type of work carried out byCHF International in various African countries over time.

Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 1974.