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Making development budgets work better: housing loans and poverty reduction in Thailand
01.03.2003
CODI (formerly UCDO) is a government-funded urban poverty reduction programme in Thailand. At the centre of activities is a loan fund with multiple lending windows, including housing loans for the poor. This interview with CODI's Director is preceded by a short introduction to the programme, its strategies and activities. The role of savings are discussed and the importance of building strong community groups which can negotiate to resist eviction or to secure water supply infrastructure. The loan fund is designed to cover its costs and maintain its value through interest payments, and enterprise loans have a higher interest rate to cross-subsidize housing loans.