5) Description of housing product/service offering: Modern Methods of Construction is relatively new to the UK and, as such, is a highly marketed product. The manufacturers could be asked to utilise their expertise to deliver charitable low cost units. Kingspan Tek for instance build timber frame SIPS panels imported to the UK from Germany/Poland etc -cost to ship the product farther afield may have a positive marketing angle for them at a time when the UK/US/Canada are just starting to embrace the technology.

6) Description of innovation: Taking the forefront of 'western' construction technology and taking it to under-developed countries. There has to be scope in this - it is low cost, sustainable, energy-efficient and could meet the needs of poverty-stricken households through lower build periods and less dirsruption/use of local resources.

7) Benefits to clients: Aside from the suggestion of MMC, I think there is merit in learning from UK planning policy (PPG3). Developers in any economic climate assume a profit level and, as in the UK, this can evolve into private finance making real contributions to the local community in open space contributions, free land for affordable housing, children's play facilities etc.... Governments will be keen to maximise economic/social output without actual financial input and this is an ideal policy approach to ensure than landowners/developers make the contributions as part of their schemes via planning - does SA have a requirement to obtain planning permission?

8) Key operational partnerships: None! I am a Christian who happens to be a Development Mangager for a Housing Association. Pure coincidence but I feel a real passion for achieving affordable housing solutions for those in need - regardless of nationality i guess!

9) Financial model: As part of their planning permission, developers should be forced to give X% of the land free to a social body (Govt, Hdg Assoc etc) to build on. This subsidy should allow minimal additional financial input to make projects 'stack'.

          • Costs as percentage of income: ??|

          • Financing: If sustainable planning policy is achieved, affordable housing in emerging nations should be self financing (free land, build cost = rental income over, say, 40 yrs).

10) Effectiveness

          • Project outcomes: I don't want to win £5k - just offer some experience! :-)

          • Number of clients in past year: Nationally, thousands. Since Right to Buy in the UK, we have been playing catch up as a sector. Getting there but will never meet need - as per emerging countries - our efforts will not cure the world.

          • Percentage of clients that are poor or marginalized: 80

          • Potential demand: Taking a strategic approach, technically, the entire population could benefit from appropriate housing policy.

11) Scaling up strategy

          • Stage of the initiative: Scaling Up stage.

          • Expansion plan: Watch and learn from our own housing market!!!

12) Origin of the initiative: Western world housing need is lesson enough for us to evolve a solution for the 3rd world.

Contact Information:
Colin  Harrington
Development Manager
X Housing Association
(RSL)
3 Lichfield Ct, Gazelle Close, Gosport, Hants, PO13 8DF
United Kingdom
Tel: 07900 404906
Email: kelly.colin@ntlworld.com