IEASA is accepted as a member of the International Housing Coalition
The Institute of Estate Agents (IEASA) has been accepted as a member of the International Housing Coalition (IHC) – the organisation that co-ordinates efforts around the world to address the issues of urbanisation and housing provision for the poor.
"In this financial year," notes IEASA president Dr Willie Marais, "the IHC secured millions of dollars from the US
"It also works constantly to focus attention on the housing challenge in the developing world and improve the policy environment for providing housing for the poor, in support of the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations.
"This dovetails with SA’s plans to house the poor and eliminate squatter camps by 2014, which are obviously of huge relevance to our membership. We are thus delighted to have been accepted as a member of the IHC, and through this to be able to interact directly with organisations such as USAID and Habitat for Humanity International."
The IHC was established in 2005 specifically to restore housing to a position of importance on the world development agenda, given that it plays a key role in economic growth, improved health and poverty alleviation.
Working with USAID missions around the world, the IHC has a the capacity to:
* Assist in the development of advocacy programmes that support "housing for all";
* Establish co-operative relationships with housing coalitions and other organisations such as IEASA to jointly bring more attention to housing and shelter issues: and
* Help mobilise local resources to improve the policy and institutional framework for housing and urban development.
"Worldwide," notes Marais, "housing and slum problems remain serious issues, and SA is no exception. Issues of access to land, property rights, affordable finance and basic services are at the heart of housing and social issues we still have to overcome.
"In dealing with these, IEASA will as a member of the IHC support the basic principles of private property ownership, secure tenure, effective title systems and efficient and equitable housing finance systems – which we believe support civic stability and democracy."
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