Developing Housing Microfinance Products in Central America

Abstract

In most developing countries, the need for more and improved housing for low-income families is tremendous. ACCION and other microfinance organizations have developed techniques that are coming to be known as housing microfinance. Housing microfinance is a non-subsidized, sustainable tool that applies the best practices developed over the years for microenterprise finance to the housing needs of micro and small entrepreneurs. This InSight reports on the results of pilot projects in ACCION affiliates in Central America: FAMA in Nicaragua and Integral in El Salvador.

Keywords: housing, microfinance, MFI, ACCION, FAMA, Integral, Nicaragua, El Salvador

JEL Classification: N26, N36, N86, O54, R21, R31