CONTENTS List of Tables ..- iii List of Figures ..- v Abbreviations- vi Executive Summary ..- . 1 Aim ..- . 4 Objectives ..- .. 4 Methodology ..- .. 4 Inferences from HH survey analysis ..- .. 5 Issues ..- 6 Recommendations ..- 6 Chapter-1- . 7 Introduction ..- 7 1.1 Introduction ..- .. 8 1.2 Need of study ..- 8 Critique:- ..- 10 1.3 Aim ..- 11 1.4 Objectives ..- .. 11 1.5 Methodology ..- 11 1.6 Housing Scenario in India..- 12 1.7 Scope and Limitations ..- 13 Chapter-2- 14 Overview of Microfinance sector 14 2.1 Introduction to Microfinance .. 14 What is Microfinance? ..- 14 2.2 Demand for finance-who needs it, the most? 15 2.3 Microfinance Scenario-Worldwide 15 Chapter 3 ..- 32 Housing Microfinance ..- 32 3.1 Small Loan Challenges ..- 33 3.2 The Low Income Housing Sector.. 36 3.3 Models of Low Income Housing Finance .. 39 3.4 Examples of Existing HMF Programmes .. 41 Chapter 4 ..- 44 Housing Microfinance ..- 44 4.1 Introduction to Financial sector in India. 45 4.1.1 Indian Scenario ..- 46 4.2 Institutions providing MF services 46 4.3 Regulatory Framework ..- 49 4.4 Ways of delivering Microfinance .. 50 4.5 Different Lending models ..- 53 4.6 National Policy for Micro Finance 54 4.7 Micro Finance Bill- 54 4.8 Role of NABARD as a regulator .. 58 4.9 Exemption from Usurious Loans Act, 1918 59 4.10 Drawbacks in MF Bill ..- 59 Chapter-5- 61 Case Study-SEWA Bank . 61 5.1 Introduction ..- . 61 5.2 Institution Profile.- 63 5.3 Capitalization of Portfolio targeting Low-Income families 64 5.4 Product purpose, Structure and Terms .. 64 5.5 Product Performance ..- .. 67 5.6 Eligibility Criteria ..- . 67 5.7 Management and Staffing ..- 69 5.8 Conclusion ..- .. 70 Chapter-6- 72 Data Analysis ..- 72 6.1 Introduction ..- . 73 6.2 Sample Size ..- . 73 6.3 Data Analysis ..- .. 77 6.4 Inferences and Observations 82 Chapter-7- 88 Issues and Recommendations .. 88 7.1 Issues ..- . 90 7.1.1 Issues in Housing Microfinance 93 7.2 Recommendations ..- . 94