Senegal faces a major shortage of affordable housing, compounded by a lack of available financial products and limited “serviced” land – meaning self-built housing is often the best option for families. Though there has not been the establishment of a national housing policy in Senegal, most policies are guided by a housing framework, and the country has a tradition of promoting housing by supporting various components of the housing value chain.
In 2020, Senegal launched its 100,000 Affordable Housing Program, which utilizes US$626.9 million to build homes for people with incomes lower than US$806 per month. While this program attempts to expand homeownership to low-income groups, the gender gap, remains large in terms of property ownership and financial inclusion. Suggestions to move housing policy forward in terms of gender equity include designing products and services specifically geared toward women, including savings linked and family group lending products.
Source:
International Finance Corporation. (2023) Her Home II: Housing Finance in Ghana, Senegal and Indonesia. International Finance Corporation.