IHC - Housing for All

About the IHC and Its Programs

The International Housing Coalition (IHC) was organized by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) to promote the goal of “HOUSING FOR ALL” as an essential element to ending poverty worldwide. The IHC was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in August 2005 and was granted tax exempt status in October 2006. In addition to its three founding sponsors, 33 other organizations, including private companies, non-profit groups and academic/research institution have joined the coalition and continue to contribute to its work.

What We Do

The Issue

More than a billion people live in slums in sub-standard shelter without access to clean water and sanitation. In developing countries more than a million people are born in or move to cities every week, and in 10 years the urban population will exceed the rural population. While urban growth may be inevitable, the dire living conditions of the urban poor are not. The case for a robust effort to address urban slum conditions has been well developed, and becomes only more relevant as the developing world becomes more and more urbanized. Investing in housing and urban services has many benefits:

It can spur economic advancement of the poor.
It can accelerate economic growth.
With the right policies, modest public investment can stimulate private housing investment.
Decent housing addresses a multitude of basic human needs, especially health.
Slum upgrading engages the urban poor, one of the most marginalized groups.

Despite an ever more urbanized world and a growing appreciation of the role of cities in economic growth, actual funding for shelter and urban programs from the development agencies has been declining. The reasons for this decline are varied but at least in part reflect an assumption that urban slums are self-correcting and that scarce donor resources are best spent elsewhere. In fact there is ample evidence that strategic investments in improving living conditions of the urban poor pay widespread dividends.

The IHC Approach

The IHC strategy is to effect policy and programmatic change in foreign assistance through an advocacy program based on a broad coalition of varied organizations. The advocacy efforts are integrated with and draw strength from the Organization’s active engagement in housing and urban development applied research, information sharing, and policy advice in selected countries.

Advocacy. The IHC is involved in a range of advocacy activities and methods:

Direct contact with members of Congress and their staff;
Lobbying Congress in tandem with groups with similar concerns and the efforts of the IHC’s founding sponsors to influence policies, programs, and funding;
Membership in larger multi-sectoral advocacy groups (e.g. One Campaign);
Engaging foreign assistance agencies directly on program policies and design; and,
Educating policy makers about housing and urban issues.

Applied Research. The IHC undertakes or participates in applied research and information dissemination that contributes to a better understanding of housing issues and solutions in developing countries while enhancing the credibility of the IHC as an effective advocate. Issues of concern include:

Housing conditions as they relate to basic human needs (e.g. access to water, clean air).
The relationship of slum conditions to other world development issues from global warming, to HIV/AIDS, to economic growth opportunities.
Demographic trends, focusing on the world urbanization phenomenon.
Allocation of donor resources to housing and urban development.

Partnerships. The IHC seeks collaboration with complementary organizations and individuals. This can take the form of participating in short-term lobbying alliances; establishing more formal organizational partnerships, such as with an established research institution; and lending the IHC name to broader foreign assistance reform campaigns.

Policy engagement in selected countries. The IHC supports direct engagement in a small number of developing countries concerning broad housing and urban development policy at the national or city level (e.g. land tenure laws, housing finance systems). As part of its overseas work, the IHC engages new and existing shelter advocacy groups in individual countries, building an international advocacy network.

The IHC and the Future of U.S. Foreign Aid

In 2009 the new U.S. government administration is expected to re-examine foreign aid programming and consider new approaches and assistance levels. The IHC, with partner groups, is organizing a coalition to engage the new administration on incorporating urban issues into a rejuvenated foreign assistance strategy and program.


		International Housing Coalition (IHC)

Homepage About the IHC and its Programs IHC Members Join the IHC Contribute to the IHC Sponsors and Funders Publications Newsletters WUF III Papers Upcoming Events Agreement with USAID Board and Staff Contact the IHC 10 G Street NE, Suite 710 Washington D.C. 20002 Tel: +1-202-408-8506/8507 Fax: +1-202-248-5099 info@intlhc.org		About the IHC and Its Programs The International Housing Coalition (IHC) was organized by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) to promote the goal of “HOUSING FOR ALL” as an essential element to ending poverty worldwide. The IHC was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in August 2005 and was granted tax exempt status in October 2006. In addition to its three founding sponsors, 33 other organizations, including private companies, non-profit groups and academic/research institution have joined the coalition and continue to contribute to its work. What We Do The Issue More than a billion people live in slums in sub-standard shelter without access to clean water and sanitation. In developing countries more than a million people are born in or move to cities every week, and in 10 years the urban population will exceed the rural population. While urban growth may be inevitable, the dire living conditions of the urban poor are not. The case for a robust effort to address urban slum conditions has been well developed, and becomes only more relevant as the developing world becomes more and more urbanized. Investing in housing and urban services has many benefits: It can spur economic advancement of the poor. It can accelerate economic growth. With the right policies, modest public investment can stimulate private housing investment. Decent housing addresses a multitude of basic human needs, especially health. Slum upgrading engages the urban poor, one of the most marginalized groups. Despite an ever more urbanized world and a growing appreciation of the role of cities in economic growth, actual funding for shelter and urban programs from the development agencies has been declining. The reasons for this decline are varied but at least in part reflect an assumption that urban slums are self-correcting and that scarce donor resources are best spent elsewhere. In fact there is ample evidence that strategic investments in improving living conditions of the urban poor pay widespread dividends. The IHC Approach The IHC strategy is to effect policy and programmatic change in foreign assistance through an advocacy program based on a broad coalition of varied organizations. The advocacy efforts are integrated with and draw strength from the Organization’s active engagement in housing and urban development applied research, information sharing, and policy advice in selected countries. Advocacy. The IHC is involved in a range of advocacy activities and methods: Direct contact with members of Congress and their staff; Lobbying Congress in tandem with groups with similar concerns and the efforts of the IHC’s founding sponsors to influence policies, programs, and funding; Membership in larger multi-sectoral advocacy groups (e.g. One Campaign); Engaging foreign assistance agencies directly on program policies and design; and, Educating policy makers about housing and urban issues. Applied Research. The IHC undertakes or participates in applied research and information dissemination that contributes to a better understanding of housing issues and solutions in developing countries while enhancing the credibility of the IHC as an effective advocate. Issues of concern include: Housing conditions as they relate to basic human needs (e.g. access to water, clean air). The relationship of slum conditions to other world development issues from global warming, to HIV/AIDS, to economic growth opportunities. Demographic trends, focusing on the world urbanization phenomenon. Allocation of donor resources to housing and urban development. Partnerships. The IHC seeks collaboration with complementary organizations and individuals. This can take the form of participating in short-term lobbying alliances; establishing more formal organizational partnerships, such as with an established research institution; and lending the IHC name to broader foreign assistance reform campaigns. Policy engagement in selected countries. The IHC supports direct engagement in a small number of developing countries concerning broad housing and urban development policy at the national or city level (e.g. land tenure laws, housing finance systems). As part of its overseas work, the IHC engages new and existing shelter advocacy groups in individual countries, building an international advocacy network. The IHC and the Future of U.S. Foreign Aid In 2009 the new U.S. government administration is expected to re-examine foreign aid programming and consider new approaches and assistance levels. The IHC, with partner groups, is organizing a coalition to engage the new administration on incorporating urban issues into a rejuvenated foreign assistance strategy and program.