Research by Author & Topic

Publications by Sally R. Merrill on International Issues

This report summarizes findings from the USAID-sponsored project on models of financing for slum upgrading in India, undertaken on behalf of SPARC, a prominent NGO involved in slum upgrading in India and internationally for over two decades, and the National Housing Bank of India (NHB), one of whose main goals is enhancing housing finance for low-income households. In preparing the recommendations, the Urban Institute and SDS India have worked together with USAID and an Advisory Group formed for this project. In addition to SPARC and NHB, the Advisory Group includes banks, housing finance companies (HFCs), foundations, microfinance institutions (MFIs), builders, and Indian research institutions addressing shelter and microfinance.

UN-HABITAT has calculated that one-sixth of humanity—1 billion people—currently live in slums. In the next 30 years, this figure could rise to over 31 percent of the world's population. The vast majority of these households will never be able to afford, nor have access to, formal mortgage finance. Thus, increasing the availability of microfinance for housing (MFH) to help provide adequate shelter and sanitation will become increasingly important.

This study reviews worldwide experience in local public real estate asset management. A primary objective was to demonstrate the relationship between strategic real property asset management and financial and other municipal planning. Two topics—financial implications of municipal real property asset management and public housing asset management—are considered in detail. The report concludes with a set of recommendations for central and local governments and implications for the World Bank.