Housing Finance for Poor Working Women: Innovations of the Self-Employed Women’s Association in India

The Self-Employed Womens Association (SEWA) of India recognizes that the home is a paramount productive asset, especially for poor women. Secure tenure allows access to financial assistance, which is critical to supporting and expanding most kinds of economic activity, particularly self-employed work.

SEWA's experience in both regulated banking and slum upgradation have overcome assumptions that housing finance is not a viable option for the working poor, and proven that financial inclusion of informal sector workers is not only possible but also sustainable and profitable.

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