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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

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