A new collaboration between AFI and Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) will significantly advance the cause of affordable, inclusive, and sustainable housing finance.

“With nearly three billion people suffering from inadequate housing, and one billion living in slums and informal settlements, we face a pressing global challenge,” said AFI Executive Director, Alfred Hannig. “We look forward to working with TCIS to identify how the enabling regulatory environment for inclusive, affordable, sustainable housing finance can be improved, and to support AFI members in developing and implementing effective policies.”

“Housing is a large investment that most people cannot afford to pay for all at once” said TCIS vice president and executive director, Roland Pearson. “Central banks and financial regulators are instrumental in unlocking both private and public sector finance for financial inclusion. By expanding access to affordable housing finance, we can significantly improve families’ health outcomes and living conditions, while also stimulating GDP growth and addressing carbon emissions.”

TCIS focuses on developing and scaling market-based solutions to increase access to affordable housing, notably through the MicroBuild Fund, which empowers microfinance institutions to offer housing-specific financial products to low-income families.

The collaboration is expected to generate valuable knowledge and serve as a model for others to follow, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem globally.