Paper short abstract:

Housing microfinance (HMF) is intended to improve the housing and living conditions of low-income people. In 2016 Habitat for Humanity International (HfHI) commissioned an impact evaluation of two HMF programmes in India. This paper presents main findings and reflections of this experience.

Paper long abstract:

Habitat for Humanity International (HfHI) is an international NGO which helps people meet their affordable housing needs across the globe. Habitat incorporated MicroBuild India -a wholesale loan financing company- with the objective of increasing access to housing microfinance to improve the housing condition of low-income households in India to increase their safety, health, education and economic security. In 2016 HfHI commissioned Bath Social and Development Research Limited to conduct an impact evaluation of two microfinance institutions and their housing microfinance clients with the assistance of Micro-Credit Ratings International Ltd. (M-CRIL). The social impact assessment used the Qualitative Impact Protocol (QuIP) to help HfHI, its partners and industry stakeholders to understand the impacts, both positive and negative, on low-income households that access housing microfinance loans and chart a future course of action. This paper will present some reflections of how HfHI responded to the study and utilised it in other geographies.