Though there is high demand in Colombia for housing loans among women, informal and unstable incomes make housing finance inaccessible. In attempts to remedy this, the Colombian government has been implementing programs to facilitate homeownership for women. Through two social housing programs involving subsidized interest rates, vivienda de interés social and vivienda de interés prioritario, home ownership has increased, with over 238,000 low-income women becoming homeowners since 2010. There is also a free housing program, Mi Casa Ya – Ahorradoes, which has provided over 150,000 women in extreme poverty with housing.
Government-supported programs do represent a large part of the housing finance market. While these policies have benefited women, overall, policies and regulatory frameworks do not distinguish between men and women, resulting in unequal implementation and opportunities.
Source:
International Finance Corporation. (2020) Her Home – Housing Finance for Women. International Finance Corporation.
Link: https://www.ifc.org/en/insights-reports/2020/her-home-housing-finance-for-women