Comments on: Building Community, Brick by Brick: Visiting Saiban http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/10/building-community-brick-by-brick-visiting-saiban/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:32:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Premal http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/10/building-community-brick-by-brick-visiting-saiban/#comment-141895 Premal Sat, 31 May 2008 05:39:34 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/10/building-community-brick-by-brick-visiting-saiban/#comment-141895 Thanks for the response to my questions. Thanks for the response to my questions.

]]> By: Sasha Dichter http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/10/building-community-brick-by-brick-visiting-saiban/#comment-141632 Sasha Dichter Thu, 29 May 2008 13:57:00 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/10/building-community-brick-by-brick-visiting-saiban/#comment-141632 a. Because of the high cost of urban land, Saiban purchases land in the periphery of a given city (depending on which city, that might vary from 30 min to 1 hour from the city center) b. About 40-50% of residents work in the local community (as laborers, with their own businesses, etc.). For about 50-60% of the residents, the commute is the time it takes to get to the city center. c. As far as we know, HBFC is the first financial institution to offer loans to this segment of the population in Pakistan, so the consumers have just one option for financing currently. Others companies have started to show interest, but we expect it will take some time for these options to materialize. d. We are exploring similar opportunities in India and Africa, and our investment in Jamii Bora in Kenya has made significant progress with more than 700 homes built. a. Because of the high cost of urban land, Saiban purchases land in the periphery of a given city (depending on which city, that might vary from 30 min to 1 hour from the city center)

b. About 40-50% of residents work in the local community (as laborers, with their own businesses, etc.). For about 50-60% of the residents, the commute is the time it takes to get to the city center.

c. As far as we know, HBFC is the first financial institution to offer loans to this segment of the population in Pakistan, so the consumers have just one option for financing currently. Others companies have started to show interest, but we expect it will take some time for these options to materialize.

d. We are exploring similar opportunities in India and Africa, and our investment in Jamii Bora in Kenya has made significant progress with more than 700 homes built.

]]> By: Premal http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/10/building-community-brick-by-brick-visiting-saiban/#comment-138448 Premal Sun, 11 May 2008 06:50:21 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/10/building-community-brick-by-brick-visiting-saiban/#comment-138448 Good post, thanks for sharing the information. I had a few questions about the way Saiban acquires the plots, etc. a. Where are these plots acquired for building these homes? b. How close are these homes to the place of work for the people living here? c. How do the consumers determine which financing corporation to go to for loans? I am assuming they are being referred to a HBFC by Saiban...this may make sense. d. Finally, I was wondering do India & Africa have such ventures that are coming up? It would be interesting to know...especially about how these people can get financing from a reliable financial organization to purchase a home. Good post, thanks for sharing the information.

I had a few questions about the way Saiban acquires the plots, etc.
a. Where are these plots acquired for building these homes?
b. How close are these homes to the place of work for the people living here?
c. How do the consumers determine which financing corporation to go to for loans? I am assuming they are being referred to a HBFC by Saiban…this may make sense.
d. Finally, I was wondering do India & Africa have such ventures that are coming up? It would be interesting to know…especially about how these people can get financing from a reliable financial organization to purchase a home.

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