A Collective Action to Transforming Housing for the Urban Poor in Lilongwe, Malawi

On 18th October 2024, I had the privilege of visiting one of SDI. (Slum Dwellers International) affiliates, the Centre for Community Organisation and Development (CCODE) in Lilongwe, Malawi.

As urban populations continue to grow, especially in low-income areas, access to affordable and dignified housing is becoming an urgent priority. It was great to learn about the initiatives underway to address the housing demand for informal dwellers in the Likuni area through the Likuni Housing Project.

Currently, they are employing a hybrid model of cooperatives and savings to build a housing fund for community members in the area. This financing approach primarily targets renters, ensuring they can access adequate housing through collective action. But what about those unable to contribute the required savings? Centre for Community Organisation and Development (CCODE) has developed various livelihood programs aimed at increasing the capacity of community members to boost their incomes and, in turn, increase their contributions to the housing fund.

As we may know, many informal dwellers have expenditures that exceed their incomes, creating barriers to accessing housing finance. Therefore, the livelihood programs aim to support these vulnerable groups by fostering economic stability and inclusion.

One aspect of Lilongwe is the affordability of bricks compared to concrete and other building materials, significantly reducing development costs.

Interestingly, constructing housing units faster within six months, for instance, can lower development costs by minimizing being subjected to high inflation rates. As such, they have recently reduced the time required to lay the foundation and walls of one housing unit from two weeks to just eight days, expediting the construction process.

This visit prompted me to reflect on similar initiatives, like the Kambi Moto housing project in Nairobi and the Muungano Nakuru housing initiative. Both projects, spearheaded by Muungano wa Wanavijiji, illustrate how community-led approaches can transform informal settlements into safe, dignified and affordable housing for low-income families. The Kambi Moto project in Huruma, for instance, utilized collective savings and community planning, enabling residents to design and build their own homes. These projects demonstrate that with the right support and participatory planning, communities can drive the development process themselves, achieving sustainable housing solutions.

The lessons from the Likuni Housing Project highlight the importance of community-led efforts in tackling the housing issue. By empowering residents to take ownership of the housing development process, projects like these not only provide shelter but also foster a sense of belonging, stability, and resilience.

Additionally, the integration of livelihood programs is particularly notable because it addresses one of the most significant barriers to housing access i.e. low incomes. By supporting income generation, CCODE is helping to create sustainable pathways for people to improve their economic standing while contributing to collective housing funds.

All in all, this visit was an incredible learning experience, and I am truly grateful to Zilire Wekha Luka, Wonderful Hunga, Mazgo Khonje and Beth Phiri for their insights. At Shack Dwellers International Kenya, we remain committed to developing scalable housing solutions which can be adapted across informal settlements, ensuring that B40 communities have access to decent, affordable housing.