CONTENTS Figures and Tables 13 Acronyms 15 Abstract 19 Part I: Introduction 1. Context 23 2. The Problem 25 3. Objectives of the Research 27 4. State of the Art 29 5. The Definition of Sustainability 31 6. Research Hypothesis and Key Questions 32 7. Selected Case Studies 34 8. Sources and Methodology 36 8.1.Primary and Secondary Sources 36 8.2.Criteria for the Analysis of Sustainability 36 Part II: Housing for Low-Income Groups 1. Informal Housing Processes 41 1.1. Self-Help Housing 41 1.2.Definition of Poverty 43 1.3.Social Networks 44 1.4.Women and Housing 45 1.5.The Cost of Housing and Sources of Funding 47 1.5.1.Investment 47 1.5.2.Group Saving and Credit 48 1.5.3.Microfmance and Microfinance Institutions 48 2. Formal Housing Solutions 51 2.1.Processes of Modernization 51 2.1.1.Modernization 51 2.1.2.Impacts of Modernization 52 2.1.3.Modernization and Housing 53 2.1.4.Modernization in Developing Countries 55 2.2.Government Housing Finance Programs 56 2.2.1.Objectives 56 2.2.2.Subsidies 57 2.2.3.Targeting 60 2.2.4.Roles of the Key Actors 62 3. Summary 71 Part III: Case Studies 1. Chile: Basic Housing Program (BH) and Progressive Housing Program (PH) 75 1.1.Political and Economic Situation 75 1.2.Brief Summary of the Programs 76 1.3.Roles of the Key Actors 83 1.3.1.Beneficiaries 85 1.3.2.Public Sector 86 1.3.3.Private Construction Sector 87 1.3.4.Financial Institutions 89 1.3.5.International Donor Agencies 90 1.3.6.Non-Governmental Organizations - PH 92 1.4.Results 93 1.4.1.Overview 93 1.4.2.Housing and Settlement 99 1.4.3.Targeting and Social Networks 104 2. Ecuador: Housing Incentive System Program (SIV) - Housing Improvement 107 2.1.Political and Economic Situation 107 2.2.Brief Summary of the Program 109 2.3.Roles of the Key Actors 111 2.3.1.Beneficiaries 112 2.3.2.Public Sector 114 2.3.3.Private Construction Sector 114 2.3.4.Financial Institutions 116 2.3.5.International Donor Agencies 117 2.3.6.Non-Governmental Organizations 118 2.4.Results 119 2.4.1.Overview 119 2.4.2.Housing and Social Networks 124 3. South Africa: Reconstruction and Development Program: Housing Project Linked Subsidy (PL) and People's Housing Process (PHP) 126 3.1. Political and Economic Situation 126 3.2. Brief Summary of the Programs 127 3.3. Roles of the Key Actors 13 3 3.3.1 Beneficiaries 135 3.3.2. Support Organizations (SOs) - PHP 136 3.3.3. Public Sector 138 3.3.4.Private Construction Sector 139 3.3.5.Financial Institutions 140 3.3.6.International Donor Agencies 141 3.3.7.Non-Governmental Organizations - PHP 141 3.4.Results 142 3.4.1.Overview 142 3.4.2.Housing and Settlement 148 3.4.3.Targeting and Social Networks 152 4. Thailand: Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI) 154 4.1.Political and Economic Situation 154 4.2.Brief Summary of the Program 155 4.3.Roles of the Key Actors 160 4.3.1.Beneficiaries 161 4.3.2.Public Sector 162 4.3.3.Private Construction Sector 163 4.3.4.Financial Institutions 163 4.3.5.International Donor Agencies 163 4.3.6.Non-Governmental Organizations 164 4.3.7.Other Actors 164 4.4.Results 165 4.4.1.Overview 165 4.4.2.Housing and Social Networks 170