Financial Sector Development in Africa: Opportunities ... - World Bank
Financial Sector Development in Africa: Opportunities ... - World Bank
Financial Sector Development in Africa: Opportunities ... - World Bank
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Hous<strong>in</strong>g F<strong>in</strong>ance 141<br />
• Introduce a clear, efficient, and transparent dispute resolution mechanism<br />
that is accessible at m<strong>in</strong>imal cost, but is also one that does not<br />
allow prolonged and repeated appeals to be used as a delay<strong>in</strong>g tactic.<br />
• Introduce a modern computerized title system, which to the extent<br />
possible m<strong>in</strong>imizes opportunities for fraud.<br />
• In creat<strong>in</strong>g a cadastral system, opt for an operational system on general<br />
boundary pr<strong>in</strong>ciples rather than the perfect mapp<strong>in</strong>g system with new<br />
plans drawn for all properties and lots. This ensures rapid process<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and mapp<strong>in</strong>g of regions. It is important to have a boundary dispute<br />
resolution mechanism through which any contested boundaries can be<br />
quickly resolved and clarified.<br />
• Where possible, unify the land registry, the immovable property registry,<br />
and the mortgage register. Creat<strong>in</strong>g a one-stop shop is more efficient<br />
and elim<strong>in</strong>ates the possibilities for fraud and operational problems.<br />
Affordable Hous<strong>in</strong>g<br />
The preced<strong>in</strong>g discussion has focused largely on mortgage lend<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
the role it can play <strong>in</strong> foment<strong>in</strong>g f<strong>in</strong>ancial sector development. As has also<br />
been shown, mortgage lend<strong>in</strong>g will not resolve the hous<strong>in</strong>g gap for the<br />
vast majority of the population. Other targeted, <strong>in</strong>novative solutions are<br />
needed. A number of alternatives are considered below, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g rental<br />
market, hous<strong>in</strong>g microf<strong>in</strong>ance, public hous<strong>in</strong>g, and construction f<strong>in</strong>ance<br />
solutions.<br />
Affordable hous<strong>in</strong>g encompasses a wide range of possible solutions<br />
that can be found on either the hous<strong>in</strong>g supply side or the hous<strong>in</strong>g<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ance (demand) side. On the supply side, it is clear that any efforts to<br />
reduce the cost of construction, facilitate access to land, and lower the<br />
cost of <strong>in</strong>frastructure will have a beneficial impact on the price of hous<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
The first sections of this chapter clearly lay out the size of the com<strong>in</strong>g<br />
hous<strong>in</strong>g needs; these needs can be met only by leverag<strong>in</strong>g private sector<br />
funds. Thus, any steps taken on the hous<strong>in</strong>g supply side need to help build<br />
the right environment for private developers to come <strong>in</strong> and deliver<br />
affordable hous<strong>in</strong>g. The follow<strong>in</strong>g represent some of the ma<strong>in</strong> considerations<br />
<strong>in</strong> address<strong>in</strong>g hous<strong>in</strong>g affordability.<br />
• The effective demand for hous<strong>in</strong>g must be understood. This can be accomplished<br />
by understand<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>come distribution <strong>in</strong> the country and<br />
what households <strong>in</strong> different deciles of the population are able to afford<br />
versus what the market can provide <strong>in</strong> terms of both hous<strong>in</strong>g and