Microfinance Focus, October 20, 2011: Members of Proxfin, a network of Community Finance Institutions coordinated by Development international Desjardins (DID) have stated their commitment to making housing more accessible at their fifth international seminar in Paraguay.

Members have declared to endorse microfinance products that help widen access within poor communities to housing. Proxfin will design and deliver products and services that will help increase access to housing finance for women whose access to housing is still difficult due to legal, cultural and social constraints.

Members have acknowledged that the factors for successful inclusive housing finance include the creation of strategic alliances, access to long-term financial resources, the introduction and utilization of innovative technologies and set up of specialized sales forces. They have thus committed to working with governments to encourage the sharing of information and to seek solutions that will overcome the obstacles restricting access to housing.

The financial products and lending policies will comply with the policy adopted by Proxfin in the field of sustainable development and environmental protection.